Control module connected to battery module

ABSTRACT

A control module is arranged side by side with a battery module. The control module includes positive and negative electrode bus bars which are electrically connected to positive and negative electrode input/output terminals of the battery module, respectively. The bus bars are mounted in a mounting part. The mounting part has first and second control-side ventilation holes through which air flows onto first and second battery stacks, respectively, in the battery module. The mounting part has notches in which at least one of the positive electrode bus bar and the positive input/output terminals and at lease one of the negative electrode bus bar and the negative input/output terminals are formed. The first and second control-side ventilation holes are arranged side by side in the lateral direction. The notches, the positive electrode bus bar, and the negative electrode bus bar are located between the first and second control-side ventilation holes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-94216 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on May10, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a control module to which a batterymodule is connected, and in particular, to such a combined unit of thecontrol module and battery module mounted in, by way of example, in avehicle.

Description of the Related Art

Patent document 1 discloses a battery power source device that isprovided with a battery pack, a fan, and a charge/discharge circuitunit. The battery pack is provided with two battery holders thataccommodate a required number of the battery modules in which aplurality of single batteries (battery cells) are connected to eachother in series. The fan is provided to cool the single battery. Thecharge/discharge circuit unit accommodates a relay, a current sensor,and the like. The battery power source device disclosed in patentdocument 1 outputs driving electric power to an electric motor.

[Patent Document 1] JP-B 4117655

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only toenhance the understanding of the background of the disclosure andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In recent years, as demand of a hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicledramatically increases, a development of a high output motor has been inprogress. Accordingly, along with the development of the high outputmotor, a battery module provided with high output performance and highcapacity performance that is capable of supplying driving electric powerto the motor has been continuously in development. In consideration ofthe aforementioned development, a size of the battery module has atendency to increase so as to achieve required performance thereof.

As described above, the battery power source device is provided with thefan and the charge/discharge circuit unit as well as the battery packincluding the battery module. With respect to an increase in the size ofthe battery module, if the fan and the charge/discharge circuit unit canbe located closer to each other, it may be possible to suppress a sizeof the battery power source device from increasing. However, in such aconstruction, the air flowing through the fan is easily interfered withthe charge/discharge circuit

SUMMARY

With consideration of such circumstances, it is thus desired to providea control module in which cooling air is suppressed from beinginterfered with other members as much as possible, and a smoother flowof the cooling air can be provided.

An exemplary embodiment provides a control module that is arranged sideby side with a battery module including battery stacks in which aplurality of battery cells are arranged in a longitudinal direction thatis orthogonal to a height direction ranging from an upper end surface onwhich electrodes of the battery cells are provided, to a lower endsurface that is disposed at an opposite side of the upper end surface.The plurality of battery stacks are provided with terminals electricallyconnecting the battery stacks in series, the terminals includingpositive and negative electrode input/output terminals located at endsof the serially connected terminals, and the plurality of battery stacksincludes first and second battery stacks mutually adjoining in a lateraldirection perpendicular to both the longitudinal and height directions.

In this configuration, the control module includes: a positive electrodebus bar electrically connected to the positive electrode input/outputterminal; a negative electrode bus bar electrically connected to thenegative electrode input/output terminal; and a mounting part in whichthe positive and negative electrode bus bars are mounted. The mountingpart has a first control-side ventilation hole through which air is madeto flow onto the first battery stack; a second control-side ventilationhole through which air is made to flow onto the second battery stack;notches in which at least one of the positive electrode bus bar and thepositive input/output terminals and at lease one of the negativeelectrode bus bar and the negative input/output terminals are formed;the first and second control-side ventilation holes are arranged side byside in the lateral direction; and the notches, the positive electrodebus bar, and the negative electrode bus bar are located between thefirst and second control-side ventilation holes.

According to this configuration, the positive and negative bus bars canbe prevented or suppressed from interfering with the air which flowsthrough the first and second control-side ventilation holes.

Further, the elements described in detailed description of theembodiments are marked with symbols. The symbols such as a numeral and aletter of the alphabet are used in the specification so as to simplyindicate the correspondence relationship between each element in theexemplary embodiments, and are not intended to necessarily indicateelement itself described in the exemplary embodiments. The symbols usedherein are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a function of a battery pack.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the battery pack.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the battery pack.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a frame and a connectingframe.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a connected state between theframe and the connecting frame.

FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating a state in which the battery stack ismounted on the frame that is connected to the connecting frame.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a battery module.

FIG. 11 shows, in its parts (a) to (f), drawings illustrating an outershape of a control module.

FIG. 12 shows, in its parts (a) to (e), drawings illustrating anassembly process of the control module.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the connecting frame.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a region “A” surroundedby broken lines shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 15 shows, in its parts (a) to (d), drawings illustrating an elementunit.

FIG. 16 shows, in its parts (a) to (d), drawings illustrating theelement unit.

FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing illustrating a first switch.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a mounted state between acurrent sensor and an external positive electrode bus bar.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the current sensor.

FIG. 20 shows, in its parts (a) and (b), drawings illustrating a controlsubstrate.

FIG. 21 shows, in its parts (a) and (b), drawings illustrating a spacer.

FIG. 22 shows, in its parts (a) and (b), drawings illustrating a statein which the control substrate is fixed to the element unit.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a control cover.

FIG. 24 shows, in its parts (a) and (b), drawings illustrating a statein which the control cover is fixed to the element unit.

FIG. 25 shows, in its parts (a) to (f), drawings illustrating variationsof the control module.

FIG. 26 shows, in its parts (a) to (c), drawings illustrating anassembly process of the control cover.

FIG. 27 shows, in its parts (a) to (f), drawings illustrating variationsof the control module.

FIG. 28 shows, in its parts (a) to (c), drawings illustrating anassembly process of the control cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with theaccompanying drawings, based upon exemplary embodiments in which thepresent disclosure is applied to a hybrid vehicle.

First Exemplary Embodiment

A battery pack will now be described in detail with references to FIGS.1 to 24 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Hereinafter, three directions orthogonal to each other will be definedas a lateral direction, a longitudinal direction, and a heightdirection. The lateral direction in the exemplary embodiments isdirected along an advancing direction of a hybrid vehicle. Thelongitudinal direction is directed along left and right directionsthereof. The height direction is directed along a vertical directionthereof.

Further, a plane that is defined by the lateral direction and thelongitudinal direction is referred to as a defined plane. A plane thatis defined by the lateral direction and the height direction is referredto as a lateral plane. A plane that is defined by the longitudinaldirection and the height direction is a longitudinal plane.

(Battery Pack Overview)

A battery pack 300 has a function of supplying electric power to anelectric load 400 of a hybrid vehicle shown in FIG. 1. The electric load400 includes a motor generator performing functions as an electric powersupply source and a power generation source. For example, when the motorgenerator is driven, the battery pack 300 is discharged, after which theelectric power is supplied to the motor generator. When the motorgenerator generates the electric power, the battery pack 300 charges theelectric power that is generated by the motor generator. The motorgenerator corresponds to an electric motor.

The battery pack 300 includes a battery ECU 32. The battery ECU 32 iselectrically connected to an ECU (in-vehicle ECU 500) mounted on thehybrid vehicle. A signal between the battery ECU 32 and the in-vehicleECU 500 is configured to be transmitted and received each other, suchthat the hybrid vehicle is cooperatively controlled by the battery ECU32 and the in-vehicle ECU 500.

The battery pack 300 includes a battery stack 230 in which a pluralityof battery cells 240 are electrically connected to each other in series.The battery ECU 32 outputs a charge state of the battery stack 230, andthe like to the in-vehicle ECU 500. The in-vehicle ECU 500 outputs acommand signal to the battery ECU 32 based upon the charge statethereof, a depression amount of the accelerator pedal that is inputtedfrom various sensors mounted on a vehicle, vehicle information such as athrottle valve opening, and the like, an ignition switch, and the like.Accordingly, the battery ECU 32 controls a system main relay 50, whichwill be described later, based upon the command signal outputted fromthe in-vehicle ECU 500.

For example, the battery pack 300 is provided in an installation spaceunder a seat of the hybrid vehicle. The installation space is widerunder a back seat than under a front seat. The battery back 300 in theexemplary embodiment is provided in the installation space under theback seat.

A length (height) in the height direction of the seat is determineddepending on comfortability of sitting of a user, and the like. A length(lateral width) of the lateral direction (advancing/retreatingdirection) of the seat is also determined depending on thecomfortability of the sitting of the user. However, a length(longitudinal width) of the longitudinal direction (right-leftdirection) of the seat is determined depending on a size of the hybridvehicle. Accordingly, the installation space in which the battery pack300 is provided is determined depending on the comfortability of thesitting of the user and the size of the hybrid vehicle.

The comfortability of the sitting of the user is determined according tohuman engineering, and the like. Accordingly, it is difficult tolengthily set a height of the installation space and a lateral widththereof. Further, the size of the hybrid vehicle is not determined bythe user. Therefore, a longitudinal width of the installation space maybe lengthily set in comparison with the height thereof and the lateralwidth thereof.

(Battery Module Overview)

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery pack 300 includes a battery module200 and a control module 100. The control module 100 is arranged side byside with the battery module 200 in the longitudinal direction, and thecontrol module 100 and the battery module 200 are mechanically andelectrically connected to each other. Accordingly, the battery module200 and the control module 100 are arranged in the longitudinaldirection in which the longitudinal width may be lengthily set incomparison with the height of the installation space and the lateralwidth thereof.

The battery module 200 has a function as a power supply source and acharge source. The control module 100 controls an input of electricpower of the battery module 200 and an output thereof. Further, thecontrol module 100 also controls cooling of the battery stack 230 of thebattery module 200. The battery module 100 also performs a command of anequalization process of the battery cell 240 with respect to the battermodule 200.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the battery module 200 includes a frame 210and a battery stack 230. The frame 210 is opened in the height directionand is also formed of a box shape including a bottom. The frame 210extends in the longitudinal direction. The battery stack 230 isaccommodated in the frame 210. The battery stack 230 includes aplurality of the battery cells 240. The plurality of battery cells 240are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of batterycells 240 are mechanically and electrically connected to each other inseries. The battery cell 240 is a secondary battery and an electromotivevoltage thereof is generated by a chemical reaction.

The battery module 200 includes a first battery stack 231 and a secondbattery stack 232 as the battery stack 230. The first batter stack 231and the second battery stack 232 are electrically connected to eachother in series. Accordingly, an output voltage of the batter module 200is a total sum of output voltages of the plurality of battery cells 240that are respectively accommodated in the first battery stack 231 andthe second battery stack 232.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 200 includes a monitoring unit250 that monitors the respective voltages of the plurality of batterycells 240. The monitoring unit 250 (not shown) includes a flexiblesubstrate having flexibility properties, an electronic element mountedon the flexible substrate, and a monitoring IC chip. The electronicelement includes a fuse, a Zener diode, and a temperature sensor. Themonitoring IC chip includes a switch and a microcomputer.

The monitoring unit 250 is provided at an upper portion of the batterystack 230. In other words, the monitoring unit 250 is provided at theframe 210 via the battery stack 230. The monitoring unit 250 is providedat an upper portion of an upper end surface 240 a of the battery cell240, which will be described later.

A plurality of detection electrodes and a plurality of wiring patternscorresponding to the respective battery cells 240 are provided on theflexible substrate. Electronic elements respectively corresponding tothe plurality of wiring patterns are provided on the flexible substrate.The respective plurality of wiring patterns and monitoring IC chips areelectrically connected to each other. The monitoring IC chip includesswitches respectively corresponding to the plurality of wiring patterns.Charge and discharge of the battery cells 240 that are electricallyconnected to the corresponding wiring patterns are controlled by openingand closing of the switch.

Further, the flexible substrate is provided with a connector that iselectrically connected to the respective plurality of wiring patterns.The connector is connected to an internal wire 110. The internal wire110 is connected to the battery ECU 32 of the control module 100.Accordingly, the monitoring unit 250 and the battery ECU 32 areelectrically connected to each other via the internal wire 110. Theoutput voltages of the respective battery cells 240 are inputted fromthe monitoring unit 250 to the battery ECU 32. Further, temperatures ofthe respective battery cells 240 are inputted from the monitoring unit250 to the battery ECU 32. As shown in FIG. 4, a connection portionbetween a connector of the monitoring unit 250 and the internal wire 110is disposed at an upper portion of the frame 210 in the heightdirection. The connection portion of the internal wire 110 and themonitoring unit 250 are arranged in the longitudinal direction.

As described above, the battery pack 230 includes the plurality ofbattery cells 240 connected to each other in series. Functions andcharacteristics of the plurality of battery cells 240 are different fromeach other due to variations thereof. Thus, when charge and dischargethereof are repeatedly performed, the respective plurality of batterycells 240 have a different SOC (state of charge). The SOC is anabbreviation of state of charge. The SOC has a correlation with theelectromotive voltage of the battery cell 240.

The battery cell 240 should suppress occurrence of over-discharge andover-charge due to its characteristic. In other words, theover-discharge and the over-charge are in states where the SOC isextremely low and high. Specifically, when the SOC (state of charge) ofeach battery cell 240 is dispersed (that is to say, the SOC of eachbattery cell 240 is different from each other), each battery cell 240also has a different degree of the over-discharge of each battery cell240 and the over-charge thereof. Therefore, it is required to equalizethe SOC of the plurality of battery cells 240 with which the batterystack 230 is formed, so as to perform accurate control in such a mannerthat the SOC of the battery stack 230 is prevented from beingover-charged and over-discharged. In other words, the respective SOC(states of charge) of the plurality of battery cells 240 are required tobe consistent with the SOC of the battery stack 230 which is a total sumaverage thereof.

In consideration of the required configuration described above, themonitoring unit 250 detects and monitors the respective output voltages(electromotive voltages) of the plurality of battery cells 240 that havecorrelations with the SOC. The respective output voltages are inputtedto the battery ECU 32 of the control module 100. The battery ECU 32stores the correlations between the SOC and the electromotive voltages.The battery ECU 32 detects the respective SOC (states of charge) of theplurality of battery cells 240 based upon the inputted output voltages(electromotive voltages) and the stored correlations therebetween. Thebattery ECU 32 determines the equalization process of the SOC of theplurality of battery cells 240 with which the battery stack 230 isformed based upon the detected SOC thereof. Further, the battery ECU 32outputs a command of the equalization process thereof to themicrocomputer of the monitoring IC chip based upon the above-mentioneddetermination. The microcomputer controls the switches respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of battery cells 240 by opening andclosing of the switches based upon the command of the equalizationprocess thereof, thereby performing the charge and the discharge. Inthis way, the equalization process thereof is performed.

Additionally, the temperatures of the respective battery cells 240 areinputted from the monitoring unit 250 to the battery ECU 32. The SOC hasa correlation with the temperature. Therefore, the battery ECU 32,strictly speaking, stores the correlations between the SOC, theelectromotive voltage, and the temperature. The battery ECU 32 detectsthe respective SOC (states of charge) of the plurality of battery cells240 based upon the inputted output voltage (electromotive voltage) andthe inputted temperature, and the aforementioned correlationstherebetween.

(Battery Module Configuration)

Hereinafter, the frame 210 and the battery stack 230 will now bedescribed in detail with references to FIGS. 6 to 9. The frame 210 ismade of aluminum. The frame 210 is an aluminum die-cast product. Asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the frame 210 includes a bottom wall 211, a sidewall 212, and a partition wall 213. The bottom wall 211 is formed of along rectangle in the longitudinal direction on the defined plane.Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a rib 214 for bolting the batterymodule 200 to a body of the hybrid vehicle is formed on the bottom wall211. In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the two ribs214 are formed on the bottom wall 211. The two ribs 214 are separatedfrom the control module 100 of the bottom wall 211, and are formed atedge portions along the lateral direction. The two ribs 214 are arrangedin the lateral direction. Bolt holes 214 a, through which the bolts areinserted, are formed in the respective ribs 214. Further, the partitionwall 213 may be formed separately from the bottom wall 211 and the sidewall 212. A material of the partition wall 213 may be different fromthose of the bottom wall 211 and the side wall 212.

The side wall 212 has a left wall 215, a right wall 216, a front wall217, and a rear wall 218. The left wall 215 and the right wall 216 arerespectively formed of rectangles on the lateral plane. The front wall217 and the rear wall 218 are respectively formed of long rectangles inthe longitudinal direction on the longitudinal plane. The left wall 215and the right wall 216 are separated from each other and arranged in thelongitudinal direction, and are opposite to each other. The front wall217 and the rear wall 218 are separated from each other and arranged inthe lateral direction, and are opposite to each other. Further, the leftwall 215, the front wall 217, the right wall 216, and the rear wall 218are arranged in a circumferential direction order around the heightdirection, and are connected to each other. Additionally, the left wall215, the front wall 217, the right wall 216, and the rear wall 218 arerespectively connected to edge portions on a bottom surface 211 a of thebottom wall 211. Accordingly, a storage space surrounded by the sidewall 212 is partitioned at an upper portion of the bottom surface 211 a.

Additionally, the battery module 200 includes a lid part (not shown). Anopening part of the frame 210 is blocked and closed by the lid part.Meanwhile, the opening part, through which air flows in and out, isformed at the lid part and a space between the lid part and the frame210, or the frame 210. The opening part in the exemplary embodiment isformed at a side of the right wall 216.

The partition wall 213 is provided in the storage space. The partitionwall 213 forms a long rectangle in the longitudinal direction on thelongitudinal plane. The storage space is divided into two spaces by thepartition wall 213 in the lateral direction. A space that is partitionedby the left wall 215, the front wall 217, the right wall 216, and thepartition wall 213 is herein referred to as a first storage space. Aspace that is partitioned by the left wall 215, the rear wall 218, theright wall 216, and the partition wall 213 is herein referred to as asecond storage space. The first battery stack 231 is provided in thefirst storage space. The second battery stack 232 is provided in thesecond storage space.

The first battery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232respectively include the plurality of battery cells 240. The batterycell 240 is formed of a quadrangular pillar shape. Therefore, thebattery cell 240 has six surfaces. The battery cell 240 has an upper endsurface 240 a and a lower end surface 240 b facing in the heightdirection. The battery cell 240 has a first side surface 240 c and asecond side surface 240 d facing in the lateral direction. The batterycell 240 includes a first principal surface 240 e and a second principalsurface 240 f facing in the longitudinal direction. The first principalsurface 240 e and the second principal surface 240 f have larger areasthan other four surfaces among the six surfaces.

The battery cell 240 is the secondary battery. More specifically, thebattery cell 240 is a lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion batterygenerates the electromotive voltage by the chemical reaction. Asdescribed above, the electromotive voltage is generated by the chemicalreaction, such that a current flows through the battery cell 240 andthus consequently the battery cell 240 generates heat. As describedabove, the first principal surface 240 e of the battery cell 240 and thesecond principal surface 240 f thereof have larger areas than other foursurfaces. Therefore, the first principal surface 240 e of the batterycell 240 and the second principal surface 240 f thereof are easy toexpand, and thus consequently the battery cell 240 expands in thelongitudinal direction. That is, the battery cell 240 expands in anarrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 240.

The battery stack 230 has a restraining tool (not shown). The pluralityof battery cells 240 are mechanically connected to each other in seriesin the longitudinal direction by the restraining tool. Further, anincrease in a size of the battery stack 230 due to respective expansionsof the plurality of battery cells 240 is suppressed by the restrainingtool. Further, a gap is formed between neighboring battery cells 240.Air flows through the gap, such that heat radiations of the respectivebattery cells 240 are promoted.

As described later, a ventilation space is formed at a lower portion ofthe battery stack 230. Air in the storage space flows from the upperportion of the battery stack 230 to the ventilation space disposed atthe lower portion of the battery stack 230 through the gap. That is, theair of a side of the upper end surface 240 a of the battery cell 240flows into a side of the lower end surface 240 b of the battery cell 240through the gap.

A positive electrode terminal 241 and a negative electrode terminal 242are formed on the upper end surface 240 a of the battery cell 240. Thepositive electrode terminal 241 and the negative electrode terminal 242are arranged in the lateral direction. More specifically, the positiveelectrode terminal 241 is disposed on the first side surface 240 c, andthe negative electrode terminal 242 is disposed on the second sidesurface 240 d. The positive electrode terminal 241 and the negativeelectrode terminal 242 correspond to an electrode.

Hereinafter, arrangement of the battery cells 240 of the first batterystack 231 and the second battery stack 232 will now be described indetail. Here, numbers are respectively provided to the plurality ofbattery cells 240, all of which are arranged in the longitudinaldirection, and a larger number is provided thereto as each of thebattery cells 240 is moved in a direction from the left wall 215 to theright wall 216.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first principal surface 240 e of a firstnumbered battery cell 240 that is disposed at a leftmost side of theleft wall 215 and the left wall 215 are opposite to each other in thelongitudinal direction, among the respective battery cells 240 withwhich the first battery stack 213 and the second stack 232 arerespectively formed. The first side surface 240 c of the first numberedbattery cell 240 of the first battery stack 231 is disposed at a side ofthe partition wall 213, and the second side surface 240 d is disposed ata side of the front wall 217. Meanwhile, the first side surface 240 c ofthe first numbered battery cell 240 of the second battery stack 232 isdisposed at a side of the rear wall 218, and the second side surface 240d is disposed at the side of the partition wall 213.

Therefore, the positive electrode terminal 241 of the first numberedbattery cell 240 of the first battery stack 231 is disposed at the sideof the partition wall 213, and the negative electrode terminal 242thereof is disposed at the side of the front wall 217. The negativeelectrode terminal 242 of the first numbered battery cell 240 of thesecond battery stack 232 is disposed at the side of the partition wall213, and the positive electrode terminal 241 thereof is disposed at theside of the rear wall 218.

The second principal surface 240 f of a second numbered battery cell 240that is adjacent to the first numbered battery cell 240 and arranged inthe longitudinal direction is opposite to the second principal surface240 f of the first numbered battery 240 in the longitudinal direction.Therefore, the negative electrode terminal 242 of the first numberedbattery cell 240 and the positive electrode terminal 241 of the secondnumbered battery cell 240 are arranged in the longitudinal direction.Further, the positive electrode terminal 241 of the first numberedbattery cell 240 and the negative electrode terminal 242 of the secondnumbered battery cell 240 are arranged in the longitudinal direction.

Hereinafter, as described above, the two battery cells 240, which areadjacent to each other, are opposite to each other on the secondprincipal surfaces 240 f (first principal surfaces 242 e). Accordingly,the positive electrode terminal 241 and the negative electrode terminal242 of the two battery cells 240, which are adjacent to each other, arearranged in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the positiveelectrode terminal 241 and the negative electrode terminal 242 arealternately arranged in the longitudinal direction in each of the firstbattery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232. The positiveelectrode terminal 241 and the negative electrode terminal 242, whichare adjacent to each other and arranged in the longitudinal direction,are electrically connected to each other via a first series terminal 243extending in the longitudinal direction. The first series terminal 243electrically connects only one positive electrode terminal 241 and onenegative electrode terminal 242. Accordingly, the plurality of batterycells 240, with which the first battery stack 231 is formed, areelectrically connected to each other in series. The plurality of batterycells 240, with which the second battery stack 232 is formed, areelectrically connected to each other in series.

Hereinafter, an electrical connection relation between the first batterystack 231 and the second battery stack 232 is in a reverse order. Thatis, in the case of the first battery stack 231, the negative electrodeterminal 242 of the first numbered battery cell 240 and the positiveelectrode terminal 241 of the second numbered battery cell 240 areelectrically connected to each other via the first series terminal 243.On the other hand, in the case of the second battery stack 232, thepositive electrode terminal 241 of the first numbered battery cell 240and the negative electrode terminal 242 of the second numbered batterycell 240 are electrically connected to each other via the first seriesterminal 243. Hereinafter, an electrical connection relation between thebattery cells 240 after the second numbered battery cell 240 is alsoopposite to each other in the first battery stack 231 and the secondbattery stack 232.

The first battery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232respectively include the same number of the battery cells 240.Additionally, the first battery stack 231 and the second battery stack232 respectively include an even number of the battery cells 240.

Accordingly, the second principal surface 240 f of a last numberedbattery cell 240 that stays away from the left wall 215 of the leftmostside of the first battery stack 231 and that is disposed at the side ofthe right wall 216 is opposite to the second principal surface 240 f ofa second last numbered battery cell 240 in the longitudinal direction,which is the same as the above-mentioned arrangement between the secondprincipal surface 240 f of the first numbered battery cell 240 and thesecond numbered battery cell 240. Thus, the first principal surface 240e of the last numbered battery cell 240 is opposite to the right wall216 in the longitudinal direction, and the negative electrode terminal242 of the last numbered battery cell 240 is disposed at the side of thepartition wall 213 of the right wall 216. That is, the negativeelectrode terminal 242 of the last numbered battery cell 240 is disposedat a central side of the right wall 216.

In the same manner, the second principal surface 240 f of a lastnumbered battery cell 240 that stays away from the left wall 215 of theleftmost side of the second battery stack 232 and that is disposed atthe side of the right wall 216 is opposite to the second principalsurface 240 f of a second last numbered battery cell 240 in thelongitudinal direction. Thus, the first principal surface 240 e of thelast numbered battery cell 240 is opposite to the right wall 216 in thelongitudinal direction, and the positive electrode terminal 241 of thelast numbered battery cell 240 is disposed at the side of the partitionwall 213 of the right wall 216. That is, the positive electrode terminal241 of the last numbered battery cell 240 is disposed at the centralside of the right wall 216.

As described above, the negative electrode terminal 242 of the lastnumbered battery cell 240 of the first battery stack 231 and thepositive electrode terminal 241 of the last numbered battery cell 240 ofthe second battery stack 232 are arranged in the lateral direction withthe partition wall 213 disposed therebetween. The negative electrodeterminal 242 of the last numbered battery cell 240 of the first batterystack 231 and the positive electrode terminal 241 of the last numberedbattery cell 240 of the second battery stack 232 are electricallyconnected to each other via a second series terminal 244 extending inthe lateral direction across the partition wall 213. Accordingly, thefirst battery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232 areelectrically connected to each other in series. Further, a groove,through which the second series terminal 244 pass, may be formed at thepartition wall 213.

As described above, the positive electrode terminal 241 of the firstnumbered battery cell 240 of the first battery stack 231 is disposed atthe side of the partition wall 213, and the negative electrode terminal242 of the first numbered battery cell 240 of the second battery stack232 is disposed at the side of the partition wall 213. Accordingly, thepositive electrode terminal 241 of the first numbered battery cell 240of the first battery stack 231 and the negative electrode terminal 242of the first numbered battery cell 240 of the second battery stack 232are arranged in the lateral direction with the partition wall 213disposed therebetween. More specifically, the positive electrodeterminal 241 of the first numbered battery cell 240 of the first batterystack 231 and the negative electrode terminal 242 of the first numberedbattery cell 240 of the second battery stack 232 are respectivelydisposed at a central side of the left wall 215. A positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 is connected to the positive electrodeterminal 241 disposed at the central side of the left wall 215.Additionally, a negative electrode input/output terminal 246 isconnected to the negative electrode terminal 242 disposed at the centralside of the left wall 215.

The positive electrode input/output terminal 245 and the negativeelectrode input/output terminal 246 are electrically and mechanicallyconnected to the control module 100. Accordingly, the output voltage ofthe battery module 200 is outputted to the electric load 400 via thecontrol module 100. On the other hand, the electric power generated bythe motor generator of the electric load 400 is provided to the batterymodule 200 via the control module 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, all of the positive electrode input/outputterminal 245 and the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 may beaccommodated in a storage space of the frame 210. Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 10, respective portions of the positive electrode input/outputterminal 245 and the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 may bedisposed at the outside of the storage space of the frame 210.

One end of the positive electrode input/output terminal 245 is fixed tothe positive electrode terminal 241 of the first numbered battery cell240 of the first battery stack 231 by a bolt. In the same manner, oneend of the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 is fixed to thenegative electrode terminal 242 of the first numbered battery cell 240of the second battery stack 232 by a bolt. The other end of the positiveelectrode input/output terminal 245 and the other end of the negativeelectrode input/output terminal 246, which are shown in FIG. 8, arerespectively formed of cylindrical shapes that are opened in thelongitudinal direction. Inner wall surfaces, with which hollow portionsof the respective other ends of the positive electrode input/outputterminal 245 and the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 areformed, are electrically connected to a bus bar 40, which will bedescribed later, of the control module 100. Alternatively, outer wallsurfaces of the respective other ends of the positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 and the negative electrode input/outputterminal 246 are electrically connected to the bus bar 40. As shown inFIG. 10, the respective other ends of the positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 and the negative electrode input/outputterminal 246 are formed of a pillar shape extending in the longitudinaldirection. The outer wall surfaces of the respective other ends of thepositive electrode input/output terminal 245 and the negative electrodeinput/output terminal 246 are electrically connected to the bus bar 40.With respect to the positive electrode input/output terminal 245 and thenegative electrode input/output terminal 246, shapes of the respectiveother ends, which are electrically connected to the bus bar 40, may be afemale-type of a concave shape or a male-type of a convex shape.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, a first notch 215 b, by which a positiveelectrode bus bar 41 of the control module 100, which will be describedlater, and the positive electrode input/output terminal 245 areelectrically connected to each other at a height position of the upperend surface 240 a of the battery cell 240, is formed on an upper surface215 a of the left wall 215. Further, a second notch 215 c, by which anegative electrode bus bar 42 of the control module 100, which will bedescribed later, and the negative electrode input/output terminal 246are electrically connected to each other, is formed on the upper surface215 a thereof.

Further, a partition is provided between the first notch 215 b and thesecond notch 215 c in the exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, a first storage space and a second storagespace are separated in the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c.Therefore, when the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c are notblocked and closed, wind flowing inside the first storage space and windflowing inside the second storage space are suppressed from being mixedin the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c. Additionally, thepartition may not be provided between the first notch 215 b and thesecond notch 215 c, such that the first notch 215 b and the second notch215 c are formed to be continuously connected to each other.

At least one of the respective portions of the positive electrode busbar 41 and the negative electrode input/output terminal 245 is providedat the first notch 215 b. At least one of the respective portions of thenegative electrode bus bar 42 and the negative electrode input/outputterminal 246 is provided at the second notch 215 c. As shown in FIG. 8,when all of the positive electrode input/output terminals 245 and thenegative electrode input/output terminals 246 are accommodated in thestorage space of the frame 210, a portion of the positive electrode busbar 41 is provided at the first notch 215 b. Further, a portion of thenegative electrode bus bar 42 is provided at the second notch 215 c. Asshown in FIG. 10, when the respective portions of the positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 and the negative electrode input/outputterminal 246 are disposed at the outside of the storage space of theframe 210, the respective portions of the positive electrode bus bar 41and the negative electrode input/output terminal 245 are provided at thefirst notch 215 b. Further, the respective portions of the negativeelectrode bus bar 42 and the negative electrode input/output terminal246 are provided at the second notch 215 c. Meanwhile, based upon theconfiguration shown in FIG. 10, the portion of the positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 may be provided at the first notch 215 b, andthe portion of the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 may beprovided at the second notch 215 c.

Additionally, a portion of the internal wire 110 that connects aninternal connector 81 of the battery ECU 32, which will be describedlater, and the connector of the monitoring unit 250 may be respectivelyprovided in the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c in such amanner that the portion of the internal wire 110 contacts a wall surfaceby which the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c are divided.Further, separately from the first notch 215 b and the second notch 215c, a through-hole and a notch exclusively provided for the internal wire110 may be formed on the left wall 215. Accordingly, positioning of theinternal wire 110 and vibration thereof are suppressed. As a result, itis advantageously possible to suppress electrical connection reliabilitybetween the battery ECU 32 and the monitoring unit 250 fromdeteriorating.

The bottom wall 211 is provided with a support part (not shown)supporting the battery stack 230 on the bottom wall 211. The supportpart extends in the longitudinal direction. With respect to the supportpart, a mounting surface, on which the battery stack 230 is mounted, ismore closely disposed at a side of the opening part of the frame 210than the bottom surface 211 a in the height direction. Therefore, asshown in FIG. 9, a space in accordance with a height of the support partis provided between the lower end surface 240 b of the battery cell 240with which the battery stack 230 is formed, and the bottom surface 211 aof the bottom wall 211. The support part and the battery cell 240 partlycontact each other. Accordingly, the space is divided by the supportpart, the lower end surface 240 b of the battery cell 240, the partitionwall 213, and the side wall 212. Mainly, wind flows through the space.Hereinafter, the space is referred to as a ventilation space.

Two ventilation spaces are provided in the storage space. One of the twoventilation spaces is disposed in the first storage space, and a portionthereof is formed by the battery cell 240 of the first battery stack231. The other of the two ventilation spaces is disposed in the secondstorage space, and a portion thereof is formed by the battery secondstack 232. Hereinafter, a ventilation space corresponding to the firstbattery stack 232 is referred to as a first ventilation space. Aventilation space corresponding to the second battery stack 232 isreferred to as a second ventilation space.

A height of a mounting surface of the support part may be defined or notbe defined with respect to the longitudinal direction. For example, theheight of the mounting surface may be gradually lowered towards adirection from the left wall 215 to the right wall 216. In this case, aseparation distance between the respective lower end surfaces 240 b ofthe plurality of battery cells 240 and the respective bottom surfaces211 a thereof gradually becomes short towards the direction from theleft wall 215 to the right wall 216. Accordingly, an area (flow area)orthogonal to the first ventilation space and the second ventilationspace in the longitudinal direction gradually become narrow towards thedirection from the left wall 215 to the right wall 216. In other words,the area (flow area) orthogonal to the first ventilation space and thesecond ventilation space in the longitudinal direction gradually becomewide towards the direction from the right wall 216 to the left wall 215.Accordingly, air resistance that flows in the longitudinal direction inthe first ventilation space and the second ventilation space graduallybecomes lowered towards the direction from the right wall 216 to theleft wall 215. Air that flows into the first ventilation space and thesecond ventilation space from the opening part formed at the side of theright wall 216 is easy to flow in the direction from the right wall 216to the left wall 215.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, a first ventilation hole 219 acommunicating with the first ventilation space is formed on the leftwall 215. Further, a second ventilation hole 219 b communicating withthe second ventilation space is formed on the left wall 215. The firstventilation hole 219 a and second ventilation hole 219 b arerespectively formed at a lower end part of the bottom wall 211 of theleft wall 215. Accordingly, the first ventilation hole 219 a and thesecond ventilation hole 219 b are respectively separated from the firstnotch 215 b and the second notch 215 c. Additionally, the firstventilation hole 219 a and the second ventilation hole 219 b areseparated and arranged in the lateral direction. Respective portions ofthe first notch 215 b and the second notch 215 c are disposed at anupper portion between the first ventilation hole 219 a and the secondventilation hole 219 b. Further, all portions of the first notch 215 band the second notch 215 c may be disposed at the upper portion betweenthe first ventilation hole 219 a and the second ventilation hole 219 b.The first ventilation hole 219 a and the second ventilation hole 219 bcorrespond to battery-side ventilation holes.

(Control Module Overview)

Hereinafter, the control module 100 will now be described. As shown inFIG. 11, the control module 100 includes a connecting frame 10, a fan20, and a control unit 30. The connecting frame 10 is connected to theframe 210. The fan 20 and the control unit 30 are provided in theconnecting frame 10. The fan guides wind into the first ventilationspace and the second ventilation space. Accordingly, the fan 20 coolsthe respective plurality of batter cells 240. The control unit 30controls an electrical connection between the battery module 200 and theelectric load 400. The control unit 30 controls driving of the fan 20.Further, the control unit 30 instructs the monitoring unit 250 toperform the equalization process with respect to the plurality ofbattery cells 240 of the battery module 200.

FIG. 11, in its part (a), illustrates a perspective view of the controlmodule 100. FIG. 11, in its part (b), illustrates a top view of thecontrol module 100. FIG. 11, in its part (c), illustrates a front viewof the control module 100. FIG. 11, in its part (d), illustrates a leftlateral view of the control module 100. FIG. 11, in its part (e),illustrates a back view of the control module 100. FIG. 11, in its part(f), illustrates a right lateral view of the control module 100.

As shown in parts (a) to (e) of FIG. 12, the control module 100 isassembled. That is, as shown in the parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 12, theconnecting frame 10 and the control unit 30 are first prepared. As shownin the part (c) of FIG. 12, the control unit 30 is provided in theconnecting frame 10. More specifically, the control unit 30 is providedat a center of a mounting wall 11 of the connecting frame 10. Afterthat, the control unit 30 and the battery module 200 are electricallyconnected to each other.

Next, as shown in the part (d) of FIG. 12, a first fan 21 and a secondfan 22 are prepared. As shown in the part (e) of FIG. 12, the first fan21 and the second fan 22 are provided in the connecting frame 10. Morespecifically, the first fan 21 is provided between a front lateral wall14, which will be described later, and the control unit 30 on a mountingwall 11. The second fan 22 is provided between a rear lateral wall 15and the control unit 30 on the mounting wall 11. Finally, the respectivefirst fan 21 and second fan 22 are electrically connected to the controlunit 30 by means of a wire 23 shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the controlunit 30 is assembled. Further, alternately, the first fan 21 and thesecond fan 22 are first provided on the mounting wall 11, after whichthe control unit 30 may be provided between the first fan 21 and thesecond fan 22 on the mounting wall 11. Hereinafter, component elementswill now be individually described in detail.

(Configuration of Control Module)

The connecting frame 10 is made of aluminum. The connecting frame 10 isproduced by aluminum die-cast. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connectingframe 10 has the mounting wall 11 and a surrounding wall 12. Themounting wall 11 forms a long rectangle in the lateral direction on thedefined plane. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 9 and 11 a, a rib 13 forbolting the battery module 200 to the body of the hybrid vehicle isformed is formed on the mounting wall 11. In the exemplary embodiment,the two ribs 13 are formed on the mounting wall 11. The two ribs 13 areseparated from the battery module 200 of the mounting wall 11 and formedin edge portions along the lateral direction. The two ribs 13 arearranged in the lateral direction. The respective ribs 13 are providedwith bolt holes 13 a through which the bolts pass. The connecting frame10 corresponds to a mounting part.

The surrounding wall 21 includes the front lateral wall 14, the rearlateral wall 15, and a connecting wall 16. The front lateral wall 14 andthe rear lateral wall 15 are respectively formed of long rectangles inthe longitudinal direction on the longitudinal plane. The front lateral14 and the rear lateral wall 15 are separated from each other andarranged in the lateral direction and are opposite to each other. Theconnecting wall 16 is formed of a long rectangle in the lateraldirection on the lateral plane. The connecting wall 16 is disposed at aside of the battery module 200 on the mounting wall 11. The connectingwall 16 is disposed between the front lateral wall 14 and the rearlateral wall 15, and connect the front lateral wall 14 and the rearlateral wall 15. The front lateral wall 14, the connecting wall 16, andthe rear lateral wall 15 are circumferentially arranged in order, andconnected to each other therebetween. The front lateral wall 14, theconnecting wall 16, and the rear lateral wall 15 are respectivelyconnected at edge portions of a bottom surface 11 a of the mounting wall11.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting wall 16 and the left wall 215 arearranged in the longitudinal direction. Respective outer surfaces of theconnecting wall 16 and the left wall 215 facing in the lateral directioncontact each other. The connecting wall 16 and the left wall 215 aremechanically connected to each other.

The connecting wall 16 is formed in accordance with a shape of the leftwall 215. As shown in FIG. 6, the first notch 215 b, the second notch215 c, the first ventilation hole 219 a, and the second ventilation hole219 b are formed on the left wall 215. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13, athird notch 16 b, a fourth notch 16 c, a third ventilation hole 17 a,and a fourth ventilation hole 17 b are formed on the connecting wall 16.Further, if an excessive influence is not exerted with respect tocooling of the battery stack 230, positions of the height directions ofthe four notches and positions of the lateral directions thereof are notlimited particularly.

The third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c are formed on an uppersurface 16 a of the connecting wall 16. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thethird notch 16 b and the first notch 215 b are arranged in thelongitudinal direction. The fourth notch 16 c and the second notch 215 care arranged in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, at least one ofthe respective portions of the positive electrode bus bar 41 and thepositive electrode input/output terminal 245 is provided at the thirdnotch 16 b. Additionally, at least one of the respective portions of thenegative electrode bus bar 42 and the negative electrode input/outputterminal 246 is provided at the fourth notch 16 c.

In this exemplary embodiment, there exists a partition between the thirdnotch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c. Thus, when the third notch 16 band the fourth notch 16 c are not blocked and closed, the wind flowinginside the first storage space and the wind flowing inside the secondstorage space are suppressed from being mixed in the third notch 16 band the fourth notch 16 c. However, the partition may not be formedbetween the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c, such that thethird notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c are formed to be continuouslyconnected to each other.

Further, a portion of the internal wire 110 may be respectively providedin the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c in such a manner thatthe portion of the internal wire 110 contacts a wall surface by whichthe third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c are divided. Further,separately from the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c, athrough-hole and a notch exclusively provided for the internal wire 110may be formed on the connecting wall 16. Accordingly, positioning of theinternal wire 110 and vibration thereof are suppressed. As a result, itis advantageously possible to suppress electrical connection reliabilitybetween the battery ECU 32 and the monitoring unit 250 fromdeteriorating.

The third ventilation hole 17 a and the fourth ventilation hole 17 b areformed at a lower end part of the mounting wall 11 of the connectingwall 16. The third ventilation hole 17 a and the first ventilation hole219 a are arranged in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the thirdventilation hole 17 a and the first ventilation hole 219 a arecommunicated with each other. Thus, the third ventilation hole 17 a andthe first ventilation space are communicated with each other via thefirst ventilation hole 219 a. In the same manner, the fourth ventilationhole 17 b and the second ventilation 219 b are arranged in thelongitudinal direction. Accordingly, the fourth ventilation hole 17 band the second ventilation hole 219 b are communicated with each other.Thus, the fourth ventilation hole 17 b and the second ventilation spaceare communicated with each other via the second ventilation hole 219 b.Communication between the fourth ventilation hole 17 b and the secondventilation space via the second ventilation hole 219 b is shown in FIG.9. The third ventilation hole 17 a and the fourth ventilation hole 17 bcorrespond to control-side ventilation holes.

As shown in FIG. 13, the third ventilation hole 17 a and the fourthventilation hole 17 b are respectively separated from the third notch 16b and the fourth notch 16 c in the height direction. Further, respectiveportions of the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c are disposedat an upper portion between the first ventilation hole 219 a and thesecond ventilation hole 219 b in the lateral direction. Additionally, asshown in FIG. 13 with broken lines, the control unit 30 is disposedbetween the third ventilation hole 17 a and the fourth ventilation hole17 b in the lateral direction. The control unit 30 is respectivelyarranged with the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 ccontributing to an electrical connection to the battery module 200 inthe longitudinal direction.

The fan includes the first fan 21 corresponding to the first batterystack 231 and the second fan 21 corresponding to the second batterystack 232. As shown in FIG. 11, the first fan 21 corresponding to thefirst battery stack 231 are provided on the mounting wall 11. The firstfan 21 is arranged with the first battery stack 231 via the mountingwall 11 in the longitudinal direction. The second fan 22 is arrangedwith the second battery stack 232 via the mounting wall 11 in thelongitudinal direction.

The first fan 21 and the second fan 22 are separated from each other andarranged in the lateral direction. The first fan 21 is disposed at aside of the front lateral wall 14. The second fan 22 is disposed at aside of the rear lateral wall 15. The control unit 30 is disposedbetween the first fan 21 and the second fan 22.

The first fan 21 and the second fan 22 respectively include a suctioninlet for sucking wind. When the first fan 21 is provided in theconnecting frame 10, the suction inlet of the first fan 21 is connectedto the third ventilation hole 17 a of the connecting wall 16. In thesame manner, when the second fan 22 is provided in the connecting frame10, the suction inlet of the second fan 22 is connected to the fourthventilation hole 17 b of the connecting wall 16.

The first fan 21 includes a first sweep-out outlet 21 a for dischargingthe wind. The first sweep-out outlet 21 a is opened to a side that isopposite to the connecting wall 16 in the longitudinal direction.Further, the first sweep-out outlet 21 a is more separated from themounting wall 11 than the suction inlet in the height direction.

In the same manner, the second fan 22 includes a second sweep-out outlet22 a for discharging wind. The second sweep-out outlet 22 a is opened toa side that is opposite to the connecting wall 16 in the longitudinaldirection. Further, the second sweep-out outlet 22 a is more separatedfrom the mounting wall 11 than the suction inlet in the heightdirection.

According to the configuration described above, when the first fan 21starts spinning and sucking air, wind flows in a direction from theright wall 216 to the left wall 215 in the first ventilation space. Atthis time, the wind also flows in a direction of the first ventilationspace in the height direction in gaps between neighboring battery cells240. The wind is sucked into the first fan 21 via the first ventilationhole 219 a and the third ventilation hole 17 a. The first fan 21discharges the sucked wind in a direction far away from the firstsweep-out outlet 21 a and the battery module 200. Accordingly, the firstbattery stack 231 is cooled.

In the same manner, when the second fan 22 starts spinning and suckingair, wind flows in a direction from the right wall 216 to the left wall215 in the second ventilation space. At this time, the wind also flowsin a direction of the second ventilation space in the height directionin gaps between neighboring battery cells 240. The wind is sucked intothe second fan 22 via the second ventilation hole 219 b and the fourthventilation hole 17 b. The second fan 22 discharges the sucked wind in adirection far away from the second sweep-out outlet 22 a and the batterymodule 200. Accordingly, the second battery stack 231 is cooled.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the first sweep-outoutlet 21 a and the second sweep-out outlet 22 a are arranged in thelateral direction. The first sweep-out outlet 21 a is disposed at theside of the front lateral wall 14, and is arranged with one of the tworibs 13 in the longitudinal direction. The second sweep-out outlet 22 ais disposed at the side of the rear lateral wall 15, and is arrangedwith the other of the two ribs 13 in the longitudinal direction. Asdescribed above, the first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the secondsweep-out outlet 22 a are disposed away from the control unit 30 as faras possible in the lateral direction. Therefore, it is advantageouslypossible to suppress air that is discharged from the first sweep-outoutlet 21 a and the second sweep-out outlet 22 a from raising atemperature of the control unit 30.

Further, as shown the part (c) of FIG. 11, the first sweep-out outlet 21a and the second sweep-out outlet 22 a are arranged with an element unit31 of the control unit 30, which will be described later, in the lateraldirection. The first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the second sweep-outoutlet 22 a are disposed away from the battery ECU 32 of the controlunit 30, which will be described later, in the height direction. Thebattery ECU 32 is arranged with a portion at which the respective inletsof the first fan 21 and the second fan 22 are provided in the lateraldirection. Therefore, it is advantageously possible to suppress the airthat is discharged from the first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the secondsweep-out outlet 22 a from interfering with the battery ECU 32.

(Control Unit Overview)

Hereinafter, the control unit 30 will now be described in detail. Asshown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the control unit 30 includes the element unit31 and the battery ECU 32. As shown in FIG. 14, the element unit 31includes the bus bar 40, the system main relay 50, a current sensor 60,case 70, and a case 70. The ECU 32 includes a control substrate 80, aninternal connector 81, an external connector 82, a spacer 83, and acontrol cover 84. The battery ECU 32 corresponds to a control unit.

A portion of the bus bar 40, the system main relay 50, the currentsensor 60, and the shielding part 69 are accommodated in the case 70.The control substrate 80, the internal connector 81, and the externalconnector 82 are assembled via the spacer 83 in the case 70, and thecontrol cover 84 is assembled to the case 70.

(Element Unit Configuration)

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the bus bar 40 includes the positiveelectrode bus bar 41 and the negative electrode bus bar 42. The positiveelectrode bus bar 41 includes an internal positive electrode bus bar 43and an external positive electrode external bus bar 44. The negativeelectrode bus bar 42 includes an internal negative electrode bus bar 45and an external negative electrode bus bar 46. The internal positiveelectrode bus bar 43 is connected to the positive electrode input/outputterminal 245 of the battery module 200. The internal negative electrodebus bar 45 is connected to the negative electrode input/output terminal246 of the battery module 200. The external positive electrode bus bar44 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 are respectivelyconnected to the electric load 400. Further, parts (c) and (d) of FIG.15 are the same as parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 16 so as to show anexternal structure and an internal structure in FIG. 15 and also to showdetails of the internal structure in FIG. 16.

As shown in FIG. 16, the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45 respectively extend in thelongitudinal direction. The internal positive electrode bus bar 43 andthe internal negative electrode bus bar 45 are arranged in the lateraldirection. The respective internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45 are more separated from themounting wall 11 than the external positive electrode bus bar 44 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 in the height direction. That is,the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45 are respectively disposed at the side of the upperend surface 240 a of the battery cell 240 in the height direction,higher than the external positive electrode bus bar 44 and the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46.

An end part (one end) of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43facing the side of the battery module 200 is provided on the third notch16 b. An end part (one end) of the internal negative electrode bus bar45 facing the side of the battery module 200 is provided on the fourthnotch 16 c. The positive electrode input/output terminal 245 isconnected to the one end of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43.The negative electrode input/output terminal 246 is connected to the oneend of the internal negative electrode bus bar 45.

An internal positive electrode housing 43 a for being connected to thepositive electrode input/output terminal 245 is provided at the one endof the internal positive electrode bus bar 43. An internal negativeelectrode housing 45 a for being connected to the negative electrodeinput/output terminal 246 is provided at the one end of the internalnegative electrode bus bar 45.

The internal positive electrode housing 43 a and the internal negativeelectrode housing 45 a are respectively opened to the side of thebattery module 200 in the longitudinal direction, and has a cylindricalshape having a bottom on an opposite side thereof. Holes arerespectively provided at the bottom of the internal positive electrodehousing 43 a and the internal negative electrode housing 45 a. The oneend of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 is inserted into thehole at the bottom of the internal positive electrode housing 43 a.Accordingly, the one end of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43is surrounded by the internal positive electrode housing 43 a. Thepositive electrode input/output terminal 245 is inserted into a hollowportion of the internal positive electrode housing 43 a. Accordingly,the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the positive electrodeinput/output terminal 245 are electrically connected to each other inthe hollow portion of the internal positive electrode housing 43 a.

In the same manner, the one end of the internal negative electrode busbar 45 is inserted into the hole at the bottom of the internal negativeelectrode housing 45 a. Accordingly, the one end of the internalnegative electrode bus bar 45 is surrounded by the internal negativeelectrode housing 45 a. The negative electrode input/output terminal 246is inserted into a hollow portion of the internal negative electrodehousing 45 a. Accordingly, the internal negative electrode bus bar 45and the negative electrode input/output terminal 246 are electricallyconnected to each other in the hollow portion of the internal negativeelectrode housing 45 a.

As shown in FIG. 16, the external positive electrode bus bar 44 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 respectively extend in thelongitudinal direction. The external positive electrode bus bar 44 andthe external negative electrode bus bar 46 are arranged in the lateraldirection. The external positive electrode bus bar 44 and the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 are respectively disposed at a side of themounting wall 11 in the height direction, lower than the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negative electrode busbar 45. That is, the external positive electrode bus bar 44 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 are respectively disposed at theside of the lower end surface 240 b of the battery cell 240 in theheight direction, lower than the internal positive electrode bus bar 43and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45.

An end part (one end) of the external positive electrode bus bar 44facing the side of the batter module 200, and the one end of theinternal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the other end thereof, whichis an opposite side of the one end thereof, are separated from eachother in the height direction. An electrical connection between the oneend of the external positive electrode bus bar 44 and the other end ofthe internal positive electrode bus bar 43 is controlled by the systemmain relay 50. The one end of the external positive electrode bus bar 44and the other end thereof are electrically connected to the electricload 400.

In the same manner, an end part (one end) of the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46 facing the side of the batter module 200, and theone end of the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 and the other endthereof, which is an opposite side of the one end thereof, are separatedfrom each other in the height direction. An electrical connectionbetween the one end of the external negative electrode bus bar 46 andthe other end of the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 iscontrolled by the system main relay 50. The one end of the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 and the other end thereof are electricallyconnected to the electric load 400.

An external positive electrode housing 44 a for being connected to afirst wire harness 85 a shown in FIG. 1 is provided at the other end ofthe external positive electrode bus bar 44. An external negativeelectrode housing 46 a for being connected to the first wire harness 85a is provided at the other end of the external negative electrode busbar 46.

The external positive electrode housing 44 a and the external negativeelectrode housing 46 a respectively include bottoms at the side of thebattery module 200 in the longitudinal direction, and cylindrical shapesthat are opened to opposite sides thereof. The external positiveelectrode housing 44 a and the external negative electrode housing 46 arespectively are provided with holes at the bottoms. The other end ofthe external positive electrode bus bar 44 is inserted into the hole atthe bottom of the external positive electrode housing 44 a. Accordingly,the other end of the external positive electrode bus bar 44 issurrounded by the external positive electrode housing 44 a. The firstwire harness 85 a is inserted into a hollow portion of the externalpositive electrode housing 44 a. Accordingly, the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 and the first wire harness 85 a are electricallyconnected to each other in the hollow portion of the external positiveelectrode housing 44 a. The external positive electrode bus bar 44 andthe electric load 400 are electrically connected to each other via thefirst wire harness 85 a.

In the same manner, the other end of the external negative electrode busbar 46 is inserted into the hole at the bottom of the external negativeelectrode housing 46 a. Accordingly, the other end of the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 is surrounded by the external negativeelectrode housing 46 a. The first wire harness 85 a is inserted into ahollow portion of the external negative electrode housing 46 a.Accordingly, the external negative electrode bus bar 46 and the firstwire harness 85 a are electrically connected to each other in the hollowportion of the external negative electrode housing 46 a. The externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 and the electric load 400 are electricallyconnected to each other via the first wire harness 85 a.

The system main relay 50 includes a first switch 51 and a second switch52. The first switch 51 and the second switch 52 respectively generatemagnetic fields by electrical conduction, thereby controlling respectiveelectrical connections between the positive electrode bus bar 41 and thenegative electrode bus bar 42. The first switch 51 and the second switch52 become open states during a non-conducting state, such that thepositive electrode bus bar 41 and the negative electrode bus bar 42 cutoff respective electrical connections. As a result, the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 and the internal positive electrode busbar 43 become disconnected to each other by the first switch 51. Theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45 become disconnected to each other by the secondswitch 52. In other words, the electric load 400 and the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 become disconnected to each other by thefirst switch 51. The electrode 400 and the internal negative electrodebus bar 45 become disconnected to each other by the second switch 52.

Each of the first switch 51 and the second switch 52 has the sameconfiguration. Hereinafter, the first switch 51 will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 17. Detailed descriptions of the second switch 52will be omitted.

The first switch 51 includes a first permanent magnet 53 and a secondpermanent magnet 54, shown in FIG. 17. Further, the first switch 51 andthe second switch 52 include a holding part 55 in common, shown in FIGS.15 and 16. Additionally, the first switch 51 includes a valve element(not shown), a connection electrode (not shown), a spring (not shown),an electromagnetic part (not shown), and a housing case (not shown). Thefirst permanent magnet 53, the second permanent magnet 54, the valveelement, the connection electrode, the spring, the electromagnetic partare accommodated in the housing case.

The connection electrode is provided in the valve element. Theconnection electrode is disposed between the other end of the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the one end of the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 in the height direction. As the valve elementmoves, the connection electrode moves in the height direction.Accordingly, a separation distance between the connection electrode andthe internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and the connection electrodeand the external positive electrode bus bar 44 in the height directionchanges depending on a movement of the valve element. The internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the external positive electrode busbar 44 are electrically connected to each other in such a manner thatthe connection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43contact each other, and the connection electrode and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 contact each other.

In the case of the second switch 52, the connection electrode isdisposed between the other end of the internal negative electrode busbar 45 and the one end of the external negative electrode bus bar 46.Accordingly, the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 and the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 are electrically connected to each otherin such a manner that the connection electrode and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45 contact each other, and the connection electrodeand the external negative electrode bus bar 46 contact each other.

The spring provides a biasing force (that is to say an urging force) ina direction, in which the connection electrode provided in the valveelement and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and theconnection electrode and the external positive electrode bus bar 44 moveaway each other in the height direction, to the valve element.

The electromagnetic part includes a solenoid coil, a yoke, and a movablecore. The solenoid coil and an end part of the valve element aresurrounded by the yoke. The movable core is attached to the valveelement.

The solenoid coil is electrically connected to the battery ECU 32 via aswitch connection terminal 56. The switch connection terminal 56 isconnected to the battery ECU 32 with solder. When a current is suppliedfrom the battery ECU 32 to the solenoid coil, the solenoid coilgenerates a magnetic field. The magnetic field forms a magnetic circuitpassing through the yoke and the movable core. Accordingly, a magneticforce is generated in the movable core. The valve element moves againstthe biasing force of the spring by the magnetic force generated in themovable core. As a result, the connection electrode provided in thevalve element and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and theconnection electrode and the external positive electrode bus bar 44mutually approach each other, thereby contacting each other.Accordingly, the connection electrode and the internal positiveelectrode bus bar 43, and the connection electrode and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 are electrically connected to each other.Therefore, the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 are electrically connected to each other.In the case of the second switch 52, the internal negative electrode busbar 45 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 are electricallyconnected to each other.

Though unlikely, for example, a configuration in which the connectionelectrode provided in the valve element is always connected to theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44 may be adopted. In this case, aseparation distance between the connection electrode and the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 changes depending on the movement of thevalve element. The internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44 are electrically connected toeach other in such a manner that the connection electrode and theinternal positive electrode bus bar 43 are connected to each other. Inthe case of the second switch 52, the internal negative electrode busbar 45 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 are electricallyconnected to each other in such a manner that the connection electrodeand the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 are connected to eachother.

The spring provides the biasing force in the direction, in which theconnection electrode provided in the valve element and the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 move away each other, to the valveelement. The valve element moves against the biasing force of the springby magnetic force generated in the movable core by a current flowthrough the solenoid coil. As a result, the connection electrodeprovided in the valve element and the internal positive electrode busbar 43 approach each other, thereby contacting each other. Accordingly,the connection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43are electrically connected to each other. As a result, the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the external positive electrode busbar 44 are electrically connected to each other. In the case of thesecond switch 52, the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 are electrically connected toeach other.

The first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 arerespectively connected to each other in such a manner that a N-polethereof and a S-pole thereof are magnetized in the lateral direction.The first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 havethe same separation distance from the mounting wall 11 in the heightdirection. In other words, the first permanent magnet 53 and the secondpermanent magnet 54 have the same separation distance from the controlsubstrate 80 in the height direction.

The first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 arearranged in the lateral direction. The N-pole of the first permanentmagnet 53 and the S-pole of the second permanent magnet 54 are oppositeto each other in the lateral direction. Accordingly, a magnetic fieldalong the defined plane is mainly formed at a height position of thefirst permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54. Theconnection electrode, the other end of the internal positive electrodebus bar 43, and the one end of the external positive electrode bus bar44 are disposed between the N-pole of the first permanent magnet 53 andthe S-pole of the second permanent magnet 54. As shown in FIG. 17 withbroken lines, the other end of the internal positive electrode bus bar43 and the one end of the external positive electrode bus bar 44 areoverlapped with each other in the height direction. In the case of thesecond switch 52, the connection electrode, the other end of theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45, and the one end of the externalnegative electrode bus bar 46 are disposed between the N-pole of thefirst permanent magnet 53 and the S-pole of the second permanent magnet54.

When the connection electrode respectively contacts the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the external positive electrode busbar 44, currents respectively flow through the connection electrode andthe internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and the connection electrodeand the external positive electrode bus bar 44. In the aforementionedstate, when the connection electrode is moved in the height directionsuch that the contact between the internal positive electrode bus bar 43and the external positive electrode bus bar 44 is disconnected,discharge currents respectively flow through the connection electrodeand the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and the connectionelectrode and the external positive electrode bus bar 44.

A magnitude of the discharge current flowing through the connectionelectrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 depends on aseparation distance between the connection electrode and the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43. A magnitude of the discharge currentflowing through the connection electrode and the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 depends on a separation distance between theconnection electrode and the external positive electrode bus bar 44.Therefore, when the separation distance between the connection electrodeand the positive electrode bus bar 43 is long, the discharge currentbecomes low. In contrast, when the separation distance between theconnection electrode and the positive electrode bus bar 43 is short, thedischarge current becomes high. A generation time of electromagneticnoise occurring when the discharge current is generated becomes long.

As described above, the connection electrode, the internal positiveelectrode bus bar 43 and the external positive electrode bus bar 44 aredisposed between the N-pole of the first permanent magnet 53 and theS-pole of the second permanent magnet 54. Accordingly, the magneticfield along the defined plane passes through the connection electrode,the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44. The magnetic fields that are respectivelygenerated by the first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanentmagnet 54 are stronger than the magnetic field formed by the solenoidcoil. Accordingly, when the discharge current flows through theconnection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, andthe connection electrode and the external positive electrode bus bar 44due to the movement of the connection electrode in the height direction,a flow of the discharge current is bent in a direction along the definedplane by the magnetic fields of the first permanent magnet 53 and thesecond permanent magnet 54. Therefore, a flow path between theconnection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43becomes longer than the separation distance between the connectionelectrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 in the heightdirection. A flow path between the connection electrode and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 becomes longer than the separationdistance between the connection electrode and the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 in the height direction. As a result, resistance inthe flow path increases and the discharge current becomes small, suchthat generation of electromagnetic noise is advantageously suppressed.

As described above, the first switch 51 and the second switch 52 havethe holding part 55 in common. The holding part 55 determines positionsof the bus bar 40 and the system main relay 50. The holding part 55 ismade of a resin material. A shape of the holding part 55 is a rectanglein the lateral plane. The holding part 55 is disposed between the valveelement, the connection electrode, the spring, the electromagnetic part,the first permanent magnet 53, and the second permanent magnet 54, andthe current sensor 60 in the longitudinal direction. That is, thecurrent sensor 60 is only disposed at an opposite side. The holding part55 divides an internal space of the case 70 into two spaces. The valveelement, the connection electrode, the spring, the first permanentmagnet 53, and the second permanent magnet 54 are disposed in one of thetwo spaces. The current sensor 60 is disposed in the other of the twospace. The holding part 55 is fixed to the case 70 by a screw, and thelike.

A hole for the bus bar 40 and a hole for the solenoid coil are providedin the holding part 55. The holes are provided in the longitudinaldirection. The holding part 55 is provided with internal insertionholes, into which the other ends of the internal positive electrode busbar 43 and the internal negative bus bar 45 are pressed and inserted,and external insertion holes, into which the one ends of the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 and the external negative electrode busbar 46 are pressed and inserted, as the holes provided for the bus bar40. The internal insertion holes are more separated from the mountingwall 11 than the external insertion holes in the height direction. Theother ends of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45 are pressed and inserted into theinternal insertion holes. The one ends of the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 arepressed and inserted into the external insertion holes. Accordingly,relative positions of the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45, and the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 aredetermined by the internal and external insertion holes.

The holding part 55 is provided with a first insertion hole, into whicha switch connection terminal 56 that is connected to a solenoid coil ofthe first switch 51 is pressed and inserted, as a hole for the solenoidcoil. Further, the holding part 55 is provided with a second insertionhole, into which the switch connection terminal 56 that is connected toa solenoid coil of the second switch 52 is pressed and inserted. Theswitch connection terminal 56 is pressed and inserted into the firstinsertion hole and the second insertion hole. Accordingly, relativepositions of the bus bar 40 and the system main relay 50 are determinedby the first and second insertion holes. Additionally, as describedabove, the bus bar 40 and the switch connection terminal 56 may bepressed and inserted into the holding part 55, alternatively, the busbar 40 and the switch connection terminal 56 may be insert molded intothe hole of the holding part 55.

The current sensor 60 detects a current flowing through the bus bar 40.As shown in FIG. 18, the current sensor 60 is provided in the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44. The current sensor 60 detects a current(current to be detected) flowing through the external positive electrodebus bar 44. A separation distance between the current sensor 60 and themounting wall 11 in the height direction is equally provided to thefirst permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54, that is tosay, the separation distance therebetween is the same as a separationdistance between the first permanent magnet 53 and the mounting wall 11,and a separation distance between the second permanent magnet 54 and themounting wall 11. In other words, a separation distance between thecurrent sensor 60 and the control substrate 80 in the height directionis equally provided to the first permanent magnet 53 and the secondpermanent magnet 54, that is to say, the separation distancetherebetween is the same as a separation distance between the firstpermanent magnet 53 and the control substrate 80, and a separationdistance between the second permanent magnet 54 and the controlsubstrate 80. Therefore, the current sensor 60 is respectively arrangedwith the first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 onthe defined plane. In other words, at least a portion of the currentsensor 60 is opposite to at least portions of the first permanent magnet53 and the second permanent magnet 54 on the defined plane.

As shown in FIG. 19, the current sensor 60 includes a magnetoelectricconversion element 61, a bias magnet 62, a wiring substrate 63, amagnetic shield 64, and a fixing part 65. The magnetoelectric conversionelement 61 is mounted on the wiring substrate 63. The magnetic shield 64includes a first shield 64 a and a second shield 64 b. The first shield64 a and the second shield 64 b are separated from each other andarranged in the height direction.

The external positive electrode bus bar 44 passes between the firstshield 64 a and the second shield 64 b. Further, the wiring substrate63, on which the magnetoelectric conversion element 61 is mounted, isprovided between the first shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b. Thebias magnet 62 is provided between the first shield 64 a and the secondshield 64 b in a state of being opposite to the magnetoelectricconversion element 61 in the height direction. The fixing part 65 ismade of a non-magnetic resin material having a non-conductivecharacteristic. The fixing part 65 respectively fixes the wiringsubstrate 63 on which the magnetoelectric conversion element 61 ismounted, the bias magnet 62, and the magnetic shield 64 on the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44.

According to the configuration described above, a magnetic field to bemeasured that is generated by a flow of the current (current to bedetected) of the external positive electrode bus bar 44 passes throughthe magnetoelectric conversion element 61. Further, a bias magneticfield generated from the bias magnet 62 passes through themagnetoelectric conversion element 61. Accordingly, a combined magneticfield that is composed of the magnetic field to be measured and the biasmagnetic field passes through the magnetoelectric conversion element 61.

As shown in FIG. 19 with a straight arrow, the current to be detectedflows in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 19 with a curvedarrow, the magnetic field to be measured is generated around thelongitudinal direction (lateral plane). The bias magnet 62 is magnetizedin the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the bias magnet 62 mainlyforms the magnetic field around the lateral direction (longitudinalplane). Accordingly, a magnetic field component along the lateraldirection of the magnetic field to be measured passes through themagnetoelectric conversion element 61. Further, a magnetic fieldcomponent along the longitudinal direction of the bias magnet 62 passesthrough the magnetic field conversion element 61.

As described above, the magnetic field component along the lateraldirection of the magnetic field to be measured and the magnetic fieldcomponent along the longitudinal direction of the bias magnet 62 passthrough the magnetoelectric conversion element 61. The magnetic fieldcomponent along the lateral direction and the magnetic field componentalong the longitudinal direction correspond to the above-mentionedcombined magnetic field.

An angle θ is formed by the combined magnetic field and the magneticfield component along the longitudinal direction of the bias magneticfield. When the magnetic field to be measured is zero, the combinedmagnetic field becomes equal to the bias magnetic field. Accordingly,the angle θ becomes zero in the same manner as the magnetic field to bemeasured. However, when the magnetic field to be measured is finite, theangle θ also becomes finite. Therefore, the angle θ depends on intensityof the magnetic field to be measured.

The magnetoelectric conversion element 61 detects only the magneticfield along the defined plane. The magnetoelectric conversion element 61is provided with a pin layer (not shown) that is determined by amagnetization direction, a free layer (not shown) that is not determinedby the magnetization direction, and a non-magnetic intermediate layerprovided between the pin layer and the free layer. The magnetoelectricconversion element 61 is a magnetoresistance effect element, aresistance value of which is determined by an angle that is formed byrespective magnetization directions of the pin layer and the free layer.The magnetization direction of the pin layer exists along the definedplane. The magnetization direction of the free layer is determined bythe magnetic field along the defined plane.

As described above, the combined magnetic field passes through themagnetoelectric conversion element 61. Therefore, the magnetizationdirection of the free layer is determined by the direction of thecombined magnetic field (angle θ). Thus, the angle that is formed by themagnetization direction of the pin layer and the magnetization directionof the free layer is determined by the angle θ. Thus, the resistancevalue of the magnetoelectric conversion element 61 is determined by theangle θ. The angle θ depends on the intensity of the magnetic field tobe measured. Therefore, the resistance value of the magnetoelectricconversion element 61 is determined by the intensity of the magneticfield to be measured.

A plurality of the magnetoelectric conversion elements 61 are connectedto each other in series between a power source and ground, such that abridge circuit (not shown) is assembled. A midpoint potential of thebridge circuit is inputted to a calculation part (not shown) provided onthe wiring substrate 63. The calculation part stores a correlationbetween the midpoint potential and the angle θ, and a correlationbetween the angle θ and the magnetic field to be measured (current to bedetected). The calculating part calculates the current to be detectedbased upon the correlation and the midpoint potential.

The wiring substrate 63 of the current sensor 60 and the controlsubstrate 80 of the battery ECU 32 are electrically connected to eachother via a sensor connection terminal 66. The current to be detected isinputted to the control substrate 80 via the sensor connection terminal66. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the sensor connection terminal 66 has ashape extending in the height direction. A connection portion betweenthe wiring substrate 63 and the sensor connection terminal 66 is moreclosely disposed at the side of the mounting wall 11 than a connectionportion between the connection electrode and the bus bar 40 with respectto the system main relay 50 in the height direction. In other words, aconnection portion between the sensor connection terminal 66 and thewiring substrate 63 is more closely disposed at a side of the controlsubstrate 80 than a connection portion between the connection electrodeand the bus bar 40 in the height direction. Accordingly, a length of thesensor connection terminal 66 in the height direction is shorter than aseparation distance between the connection portion between the bus bar40 and the connection electrode, and the battery ECU 32 in the heightdirection. The sensor connection terminal 66 is connected to the controlsubstrate 80 with solder.

Further, as described above, the connection portion between the sensorconnection terminal 66 and the wiring substrate 63 is more closelydisposed at the side of the control substrate 80 than the connectionportion between the connection electrode and the bus bar 40 in theheight direction. The above-mentioned configuration is described in oneof two configurations which will be described hereinafter. That is, theconnection portion between the sensor connection terminal 66 and thewiring substrate 63 is disposed between a connection portion between theconnection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, anda connection portion between the connection electrode and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 in the height direction. The connectionportion between the sensor connection terminal 66 and the wiringsubstrate 63 is more closely disposed at the side of the controlsubstrate 80 than the connection portion between the connectionelectrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, and theconnection portion between the connection electrode and the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44 in the height direction. In any of the twoconfigurations, the connection portion between the sensor connectionterminal 66 and the wiring substrate 63 is more closely disposed at theside of the control substrate 80 than the connection portion between theconnection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 inthe height direction. In any of the two configurations, the length ofthe sensor connection terminal 66 in the height direction is shorterthan a separation distance between the connection portion between theconnection electrode and the internal positive electrode bus bar 43, andthe control substrate 80 in the height direction.

The magnetic shield 64 suppresses the external magnetic field frompassing through the magnetoelectric conversion element 61. The magneticshield 64 includes the first shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b thatare made of magnetic materials. Each of the first shield 64 a and thesecond shield 64 b has a planar shape in which a largest principalsurface of an area is orthogonal to the height direction. Each of thefirst shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b is arranged in the heightdirection. The magnetoelectric conversion element 61 is disposed in aspace between the first shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b.

As described above, each of the first shield 64 a and the second shield64 b has the planar shape, the principal surface of which is orthogonalto the height direction. Accordingly, when the external magnetic fieldalong the defined plane passes through the current sensor 60, theexternal magnetic field preferentially passes through the first shield64 a and the second shield 64 b. As a result, it is advantageouslypossible to suppress the external magnetic field from passing throughthe magnetoelectric conversion element 61.

As described above, the current sensor 60 is arranged with the firstpermanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 on the definedplane. Each of the first permanent magnet 53 and the second permanentmagnet 54 mainly generates the magnetic field along the defined plane.Accordingly, the magnetic field along the defined plane passes throughthe current sensor 60. The magnetic field preferentially passes throughthe first shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b. As a result, it isadvantageously possible to suppress the magnetic fields generated in thefirst permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 frompassing through the magnetoelectric conversion element 61.

The shielding part 69 is made of a magnetic material such as iron, andthe like. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the shielding part 69 forms arectangle on the lateral plane. The shielding part 69 divides theinternal space of the case 70 into two spaces. The system main relay 50is disposed in one of the two spaces. The current sensor 60 is disposedin the other of the two spaces. The shield part 69 is fixed to the case70 by a screw, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 15(c) and 16, theshielding part 69 is shown with an outline of an outside shape of theshield part 69 in transparent views in order to avoid ambiguity in aninternal structure of the element unit 31.

The shielding part 69 is provided with grooves 69 a through which theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44 and the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46 respectively pass. Accordingly, strictly speaking,the internal space of the case 70 is not divided into two spaces by theshielding part 69. However, at least a portion of the shielding part 69is disposed between the system main relay 50 and the current sensor 60in the longitudinal direction. The grooves 69 a are more closelydisposed at the side of the control substrate 80 than themagnetoelectric conversion element 61 of the current sensor 60, thefirst permanent magnet 53 of the system main relay 50, and the secondpermanent magnet 54 thereof in the height direction.

As described above, the shielding part 69 is provided between thecurrent sensor 60 and the system main relay 50. Accordingly, a magneticfield generated in the system main relay 50 preferentially passesthrough the shielding part 69. As a result, the solenoid coil and themagnetic fields generated in the first permanent magnet 53 and thesecond permanent magnet 54 preferentially pass through the shieldingpart 69.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the shielding part 69 and theholding part 55 of the system main relay 50 are separated from eachother in the longitudinal direction. However, the shielding part 69 maybe arranged in such a manner of contacting the holding part 55 in thelongitudinal direction. Additionally, the shielding part 69 may beprovided on a surface of the holding part 55 of the system main relay 50and an inside thereof. In this way, it is advantageously possible toreduce the number of parts. Further, the shielding part 69 may bedesirably disposed at least between the current sensor 60 and the systemmain relay 50 on the defined plane, and may not divide the internalspace of the case 70 into the two spaces.

The case 70 is a box-shape. The case 70 is made of a resin material. Asshown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the case 70 has a first side wall 71, a secondside wall 72, a third side wall 73, a fourth side wall 74, a ceilingwall 75, and a floor wall 76. The first side wall 71 and the second sidewall 72 respectively form rectangles on the lateral plane. The thirdside wall 73 and the fourth side wall 74 respectively form longrectangles in the longitudinal direction on the longitudinal plane. Thefirst side wall 71 and the second side wall 72 are separated from eachother and are opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction. Thethird side wall 73 and the fourth side wall 74 are separated from eachother and are opposite to each other in the lateral direction.Accordingly, the first side wall 71, the third side wall 73, the secondside wall 72, and the fourth side wall 74 are sequentially arranged in acircumferential direction around the height direction and connected toeach other. The first side wall 71, the third side wall 73, the secondside wall 72, and the fourth side wall 74 are connected to an edge of atop surface of the ceiling wall 75 and an edge of a floor surface of thefloor wall 76. An internal space that is surrounded by the first sidewall 71, the second side wall 72, the third side wall 73, and the fourthside wall 74 is partitioned between the top surface and the floorsurface.

As described above, the case 70 is composed of six walls, but these sixwalls may not be separated from each other. For example, as shown in apart (a) of FIG. 15 with a compartment line by a solid line, the case 70may be composed of three members. Thus, the case 70 may be formed invarious shapes. A detailed configuration of the case 70 may beappropriately determined according to a shape, an arrangement, and thelike of an element accommodated in the internal space thereof.

A portion of the bus bar 40, the system main relay 50, and the currentsensor 60 are provided in the internal space. Holes, through which theportion of the bus bar 40 passes, are respectively provided on the firstside wall 71 and the second side wall 72. Specifically, two holes,through which the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45 pass, are provided on the secondside wall 72. Accordingly, respective one ends of the internal positiveelectrode bus bar 43 and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 areexposed at an outside of the internal space. The internal positiveelectrode housing 43 a is provided at a portion that is exposed at theoutside of the internal space of the internal positive electrode bus bar43. The internal negative electrode housing 45 a is provided at aportion that is exposed at the outside of the internal space of theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45. Outer opening parts of the twoholes provided on the second side wall 72 are covered by the internalpositive electrode housing 43 a and the internal negative electrodehousing 45 a.

Two holes, through which the external positive electrode bus bar 44 andthe external negative electrode bus bar 46 pass, are provided on thefirst side wall 71. Accordingly, respective the other ends of theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44 and the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46 are exposed at an outside of the internal space.The external positive electrode housing 44 a is provided at a portionthat is exposed at the outside of the internal space of the externalpositive electrode bus bar 44. The external negative electrode housing46 a is provided at a portion that is exposed at the outside of theinternal space of the external negative electrode bus bar 46. Outeropening parts of the two holes provided on the first side wall 71 arecovered by the external positive electrode housing 44 a and the externalnegative electrode housing 46 a.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 14, a first holding part 71 a for holdingthe current sensor 60 is provided. The first holding part 71 a forms acylindrical shape having the first side wall 71 as a bottom that isopened to the internal space of the case 70. The current sensor 60 and aportion of the external positive electrode bus bar 44 are provided in ahollow portion of the first holding part 71 a. Further, a portion of theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 may be provided in the firstholding part 71 a.

As shown in FIG. 14, a second holding part 72 a for holding the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negative bus bar 45 isprovided. The second holding part 72 a forms a cylindrical shape that isopened to the internal space of the case 70 and has the second side wall72 as a bottom with the ceiling wall 75. The internal positive electrodebus bar 43 and the internal negative bus bar 45 are provided in a hollowportion of the second holding part 72 a. Further, the system main relay50 is mechanically fixed to the second holding part 72 a via a flange(not shown). That is, respective housing cases of the first switch 51and second switch 52 are mechanically fixed to the second holding part72 a via the flange.

As shown in FIG. 14, the housing case is separated from the floor wall76 in the height direction. Therefore, heat of the first switch 51 andthe second switch 52 hardly electrically heats the floor wall 76. As aresult, the respective heat of the first switch 51 and the second switch52 is hardly transmitted to the battery ECU 32 that is disposed at alower portion of the floor wall 76. Additionally, holes, through whichthe switch connection terminal 56 of the system main relay 50 and thesensor connection terminal 66 of the current sensor 60 respectivelypass, are provided on the floor wall 76.

(Configuration of Battery ECU)

As shown in FIG. 4, the battery ECU 32 is mounted on the mounting wall11. The element unit 31 is provided at an upper portion of the batteryECU 32. The element unit 31 is arranged with the battery cell 240 in thelongitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the battery ECU 32 is arranged withthe first ventilation space of the battery module 200 and the secondventilation space thereof in the longitudinal direction. Further, asshown in FIG. 13, the control unit 30 including the battery ECU 32 isdisposed between the third ventilation hole 17 a communicating with thefirst ventilation space and the fourth ventilation hole 17 bcommunicating with the second ventilation space in the lateraldirection.

As described above, the battery ECU 32 includes the control substrate80, the internal connector 81, the external connector 82, the spacer 83,and the control cover 84. As shown in FIG. 20, the control substrate 80has a planar shape along the defined plane. A mounting hole (not shown),through which the sensor connection terminal 66 and the switchconnection terminal 56 are electrically connected to each other, isprovided on the control substrate 80. A wiring pattern is respectivelyprovided on an upper surface 80 a of the control substrate 80, a lowersurface 80 b at an opposite side thereof, and also provided between theupper surface 80 a and the lower surface 80 b. An electronic element forforming a control circuit is mounted on the upper surface 80 a of thecontrol substrate 80. The internal connector 81 and the externalconnector 82 that are electrically connected to the control circuit viathe wiring pattern are respectively fixed to the lower surface 80 b.More specifically, the internal connector 81 is fixed to an end portionat a side of the connecting wall 16 on the lower surface 80 b of thecontrol substrate 80. The external connector 82 is fixed to an endportion that is separated from the connecting wall 16 on the lowersurface 80 b of the control substrate 80. Thus, the internal connector81 and the external connector 82 are arranged in the longitudinaldirection at a lower portion than the lower surface 80 b. The internalwire 110 is connected to the internal connector 81. A second wireharness 85 b shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the external connector 82.The control substrate 80 and the in-vehicle ECU 500 are electricallyconnected to each other via the second wire harness 85 b.

A through-hole 80 c passing through the upper surface 80 a and the lowersurface 80 b is provided at four corners of the control substrate 80. Ascrew 86 shown in FIG. 22 passes through the through-hole 80 c. Further,a plurality of positioning holes (not shown), by which a position of thecontrol substrate 80 with respect to the element unit 31 is determined,are provided on the control substrate 80. A projection part 90 shown inFIG. 21 passes through the positioning hole. The plurality ofpositioning holes are arranged on the control substrate 80 in a diagonaldirection.

As shown in FIG. 21, the spacer 83 has a frame shape on the definedplane. The spacer 83 is provided on an outer surface 76 a of the floorwall 76. The spacer 83 includes a first supporting part 87, a secondsupporting part 88, and a third supporting part 89. The first supportingparts 87 and the second supporting parts 88 respectively form pillarshapes extending in the longitudinal direction. The third supportingpart 89 forms the pillar shape extending in the lateral direction. Thefirst supporting part 87, the second supporting part 88, and the thirdsupporting part 89 have the same length in the height direction. Thefirst supporting parts 87, the second supporting part 88, and the thirdsupporting part 89 are respectively provided at edge portions of theouter surface 76 a. Accordingly, an enclosed space surrounded by thespacer 83 is formed at a lower portion of the outer surface 76 a.

As shown in FIG. 21, the first supporting part 87 and the secondsupporting part 88 are separated from each other and arranged in thelateral direction. The third supporting part 89 is disposed between thefirst supporting part 87 and the second supporting part 88. Morespecifically, the third supporting part 89 is disposed at an edgeportion at the side of the connecting wall 16 on the outer surface 76 a.The third supporting part 89 connects the first supporting part 87 andthe second supporting part 88. Accordingly, the above-mentioned enclosedspace is opened at a portion separated from the connecting wall 16.

The projection part 90 projecting towards the side of the mounting wall11 is provided at the end portion at the side of the connecting wall 16of the first supporting part 87 in the height direction. In the samemanner, the projection part 90 is provided at an end portion of a sidethat is opposite to the connecting wall 16 of the second supporting part88. The two projection parts 90 are arranged in a direction respectivelyintersecting with the lateral direction and the longitudinal directionon the defined plane. In other words, as described above, the twoprojection parts 90 are arranged in the diagonal direction of thecontrol substrate 80.

When the control substrate 80 is mounted on the spacer 83, the outersurface 76 a of the floor wall 76 and the upper surface 80 a of thecontrol substrate 80 are opposite to each other in the height direction.As shown in FIG. 22, the two projection parts 90 pass through thepositioning holes of the control substrate 80. Accordingly, a relativeposition of the control substrate 80 and the case 70 on the definedplane is determined. Next, the screw 86 passes through the through-hole80 c of the control substrate 80. Thus, the internal connector 81 andthe external connector 82 as well as the control substrate 80 are fixedto the case 70 via the spacer 83.

As described above, the electronic element is mounted on the uppersurface 80 a of the control substrate 80. The enclosed space is formedat the lower portion of the outer surface 76 a. Accordingly, theelectronic element that is mounted on the upper surface 80 a issurrounded by the enclosed space. Further, as described above, theenclosed space is opened at the portion separated from the connectingwall 16. That is, as shown in a part (a) of FIG. 22, the enclosed spaceis opened to the side that is opposite to the connecting wall 16 in thelongitudinal direction. Accordingly, the enclosed space communicateswith an external space, and thus consequently heat that is generated bythe electronic element of the control substrate 80 is easily radiated.

The control cover 84 has a function of covering the lower surface 80 bof the control substrate 80. The control cover 84 is made of a metalmaterial or a resin material. As shown in FIG. 23, the control cover 84has an opposite wall 91 and a surrounding wall 92. The opposite wall 91forms a long rectangle on the defined plane in the longitudinaldirection. The surrounding wall 92 is annularly formed along an edgeportion of an opposite surface 91 a that is opposite to the controlsubstrate 80 with respect to the opposite wall 91. Notches, at which theinternal connector 81 and the external connector 82 are provided, areformed at central portions of two walls extending in the lateraldirection of the surrounding wall 92.

When the control cover 84 is mounted on the control substrate 80, thelower surface 80 b of the control substrate 80 and the opposite surface91 a that is opposite to the control cover 84 are opposite to each otherin the height direction. As shown in FIG. 24, the control cover 84 isprovided on the control substrate 80, such that the internal connector81 and the external connector 82 are disposed at the notches that areformed at the central portions of the two walls extending in the lateraldirection of the surrounding wall 92. Accordingly, the lower surface 80b of the control substrate 80 is covered by the control cover 84.

Next, referring back to FIG. 1, the battery module 200, the controlmodule 100, the electric load 400, and the in-vehicle ECU 500 areelectrically connected to each other. The above-mentioned electricalconnections therebetween will now be described. The battery module 200includes the first battery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232.The first battery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232 areconnected to each other in series via the second series terminal 244.The first battery stack 231 is electrically connected to the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 via the positive electrode input/outputterminal 245. The second battery stack 232 is electrically connected tothe internal negative electrode bus bar 45 via the negative electrodeinput/output terminal 246.

The internal positive electrode bus bar 43 is electrically connected tothe external positive electrode bus bar 44 via the first switch 51. Theinternal negative electrode bus bar 45 is electrically connected to theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 via the second switch 52. Theexternal positive electrode bus bars 44 and the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46 are electrically connected to the electric load 400via the first wire harness 85 a.

As described above, the electrical connection between the battery module200 and the electric load 400 is controlled by opening/closing of thefirst switch 51 and the second switch 52. The opening/closing of thefirst switch 51 and the second switch 52 is controlled by the batteryECU 32.

Further, the battery module 200 has the monitoring unit 250. Themonitoring unit 250 is electrically connected to the battery ECU 32 viathe internal wire 110. The battery ECU 32 is electrically connected tothe in-vehicle ECU 500 via the second wire harness 85 b.

The in-vehicle ECU 500 outputs a command signal to the battery ECU 32.The battery ECU 32 controls the opening/closing of the first switch 51and the second switch 52 based upon the command signal outputted fromthe in-vehicle ECU 500. The monitoring unit 250 detects a voltage of thebattery cell 240 and a temperature thereof and outputs the voltagethereof and the temperature thereof to the battery ECU 32. The batteryECU 32 detects respective SOC (states of charge) of the plurality ofbattery cells 240 based upon an inputted voltage, an inputtedtemperature and a stored correlation. The battery ECU 32 outputs acommand of an equalization process to the monitoring unit 250 based uponthe detected SOC. The microcomputer of the monitoring unit 250 controlsthe switches that respectively correspond to the plurality of batterycells 240 by opening and closing thereof based upon the command of theequalization process outputted from the battery ECU 32. In this way, theequalization process is performed.

The control module 100 includes the first fan 21 and the second fan 22.The first fan 21 and the second fan 22 are electrically connected to thebattery ECU 32 by the wire 23. As described above, the monitoring unit250 includes the temperature sensor as an electronic element fordetecting the temperature of the battery cell 240. An electric signal ofthe temperature sensor is inputted into the battery ECU 32. The batteryECU 32 individually controls driving of the first fan 21 and the secondfan 22 based upon the temperature of the temperature sensor. Forexample, when a temperature of the first battery stack 231 is higherthan that of the second battery stack 232, the battery ECU 32 moreaccelerates a suction-rotation of the first fan 21 than that of thesecond fan 22. Accordingly, wind that is stronger than that of thesecond ventilation space is guided into the first ventilation space. Asa result, the first battery stack 231 is more strongly cooled than thesecond battery stack 232.

Further, respective driving circuits of the first fan 21 and the secondfan 22 are provided on the control substrate 80 of the battery ECU 32.The driving circuits are electrically connected to respective motors ofthe first fan 21 and the second fan 22 via the wire 23.

The control module 100 includes the current sensor 60. The currentsensor 60 is electrically connected to the battery ECU 32 via the sensorconnection terminal 66. Accordingly, the battery ECU 32 detects an inputof the current of the battery module 200 and an output thereof. Thedetected current is outputted to the in-vehicle ECU 500 by the batteryECU 32.

Next, a positional relation between the control substrate 80 and theelement unit 31 will now be described with reference to FIG. 14. Asshown in FIG. 14, the bus bar 40, the system main relay 50, and thecurrent sensor 60 are provided at an upper portion of the upper surface80 a of the control substrate 80 in the height direction. Morespecifically, the system main relay 50 is disposed between each ofinternal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45 and the control substrate 80. The external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 aremore closely disposed at the side of the control substrate 80 than theinternal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45. The external positive electrode bus bar 44 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 are arranged with the system mainrelay 50 in the longitudinal direction.

(Functional Effect)

Hereinafter, a functional effect of the control module 100 will now bedescribed.

(Functional Effect of Connection Terminal and System Main Relay)

A connection portion between the wiring substrate 63 (current sensor 60)and the sensor connection terminal 66 is more closely disposed at a sideof the battery ECU 32 (control substrate 80) than a connection portionbetween a connection electrode of the system main relay 50 and the busbar 40 in the height direction. Therefore, the length of the sensorconnection terminal 66 in the height direction becomes shorter than theseparation distance between the connection portion between theconnection electrode and the bus bar 40, and the control substrate 80 inthe height direction. Accordingly, a vibration of the sensor connectionterminal 66 is suppressed, such that it is advantageously possible tosuppress connection reliability between the control substrate 80 and thesensor connection terminal 66 from deteriorating.

When connection switching of the system main relay 50 occurs,electromagnetic noise is generated at the connection portion between theconnection electrode of the system main relay 50 and the bus bar 40. Theconnection portion between the connection electrode and the bus bar 40is more separated from the control substrate 80 than the connectionportion between the sensor connection terminal 66 and the current sensor60. Therefore, it is advantageously possible to suppress theelectromagnetic noise that is generated when the connection switching ofthe system main relay 50 occurs from interfering with the controlsubstrate 80.

The internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negativeelectrode bus bar 45 are respectively disposed at the side of the upperend surface 240 a of the battery cell 240. The external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 and the external negative electrode bus bar 46 aremore closely disposed at the side of the lower end surface 240 b(control substrate 80) of the battery cell 240 than the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43 and the internal negative electrode busbar 45. The current sensor 60 is provided in the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44. The external positive electrode bus bar 44 and theexternal negative electrode bus bar 46 are separated from the controlsubstrate 80 in the height direction.

Accordingly, unlike a configuration in which the external bus bar andthe internal bus bar are disposed in the same height direction, a spaceaccording to a height of the battery cell 240 is respectively providedat a side of the upper end surface 240 a of the battery cell 240 and aside of the lower end surface 240 b thereof in the height direction inthe external bus bar. The current sensor 60 is provided in the space.Therefore, it is advantageously possible not only to suppress a lengthin the height direction of the control module 100 from increasing, butalso to suppress a size of the control module 100 from increasing.

Further, the current sensor 60 is provided at the external positiveelectrode bus bar 44 that is disposed at the side of the controlsubstrate 80. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a length of thesensor connection terminal 66, by which the current sensor 60 and thecontrol substrate 80 are connected to each other, from increasing.Accordingly, it is advantageously possible not only to suppress thesensor connection terminal 66 from being vibrated, but also to suppressthe connection reliability between the control substrate 80 and thesensor connection terminal 66 from deteriorating.

(Functional Effect of System Main Relay)

The system main relay 50 is disposed at the upper portion of the uppersurface 80 a of the control substrate 80. Additionally, the system mainrelay 50 is disposed between the internal positive electrode bus bar 43and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 and the control substrate80.

Provided herein is a space according to the height of the battery 240for mounting an element between the internal positive electrode bus bar43 and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45, and the controlsubstrate 80. The system main relay 50 is provided in the space.Therefore, it is advantageously possible not only to suppress thecontrol module 100 from being elongated in the height direction, butalso to suppress a size of control module 60 from increasing.

Additionally, the connection portion between the connection electrode ofthe system main relay 50 and the bus bar 40 is separated from thecontrol substrate 80 at a height of the system main relay 50. Therefore,it is possible to suppress the electromagnetic noise that is generatedwhen the connection switching of the system main relay 50 occurs frominterfering with the control substrate 80. In other words, it isadvantageously possible to suppress heat that is generated in the systemmain relay 50 from interfering with the control substrate 80.

An electrical connection of the positive electrode bus bar 41 iscontrolled by the first switch 51. An electrical connection of thenegative electrode bus bar 42 is controlled by the second switch 52.Accordingly, for example, even though one of the first switch 51 and thesecond switch 52 is fixed in an ON-state, it is possible to control theelectrical conduction between the electric load 400 and the batterymodule 200 by the other thereof.

(Functional Effect of Current Sensor and Permanent Magnet)

The current sensor 60 includes the first shield 64 a and the secondshield 64 b that have planar shapes, the principal surfaces of which areorthogonal to the height direction. The current sensor 60 isrespectively arranged with the first permanent magnet 53 and the secondpermanent magnet 54 on the defined plane. The first permanent magnet 53and the second permanent magnet 54 mainly generate the magnetic fieldsalong the defined plane.

Accordingly, the magnetic fields along the defined plane preferentiallypass through the first shield 64 a and the second shield 64 b.Therefore, it is possible to suppress magnetic fields generated in thefirst permanent magnet 53 and the second permanent magnet 54 frompassing through the magnetoelectric conversion element 61. As a result,it is advantageously possible to suppress detection accuracy of thecurrent sensor 60 from deteriorating.

(Functional Effect of Shield)

The shielding part 69 that is made of a magnetic material is providedbetween the current sensor 60 and the system main relay 50.

Accordingly, even though a separation distance between the currentsensor 60 and the system main relay 50 becomes short by reducing a sizeof the control module 100, it is possible to suppress the magnetic fieldgenerated in the system main relay 50 from passing through the currentsensor 60. As a result, it is advantageously possible to suppress thedetection accuracy of the current sensor 60 from deteriorating.

The shielding part 69 is provided with the grooves 69 a through whichthe external positive electrode bus bar 44 and the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46 respectively pass. Accordingly, the bus bar 40 isnot designed to detour the shielding part 69. Therefore, it is possibleto suppress the size of the control module 100 from increasing. Further,unlike a configuration in which a shape of the shielding part isdesigned to avoid contact with the bus bar, it is possible to suppress asuppression effect, by which the magnetic field generated in the systemmain relay 50 is suppressed from passing through the current sensor 60,from deteriorating.

(Functional Effect of Battery Pack Installation)

The battery pack 300 is provided in an installation space under a rearseat of the hybrid vehicle. The battery module 200 and the controlmodule 100 of the battery pack 300 are arranged in the longitudinaldirection and are mechanically and electrically connected to each other.

A height of the seat is determined according to comfortability ofsitting of a user. Further, as the battery stack 230 is configured forhigh output and high capacity, a size of the battery stack 230 mayincrease. Therefore, when the battery module 200 including the batterystack 230 is installed in the installation space under a seat of thehybrid vehicle, a size of the battery module 200 in the height directionis determined to be equal to a size of the installation space in theheight direction. Accordingly, an extra space between the battery module200 and the seat is not provided.

Meanwhile, the control module 100 and the battery module 200 arearranged in the longitudinal direction according not to thecomfortability of the sitting of the user but to a size of the hybridvehicle. Accordingly, even though the size of the battery stack 230increase, the control module 100 and the battery module 200 are easilyinstalled in the installation space.

(Functional Effect of Notch and Ventilation Hole)

The third ventilation hole 17 a and the fourth ventilation hole 17 b arerespectively separated from the third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16c in the height direction. The third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16c are disposed at the upper portion between the first ventilation hole219 a and the second ventilation hole 219 b in the lateral direction.The control unit 30 is disposed between the third ventilation hole 17 aand the fourth ventilation hole 17 b in the lateral direction.

Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the control unit 30 frominterfering with wind flowing through the third ventilation hole 17 aand the fourth ventilation hole 17 b, that is to say, wind flowingthrough the first fan 21 and the second fan 22. Further, it is possibleto suppress wind flowing through the battery stack 230, that is to say,wind flowing through a first ventilation passage and a secondventilation passage from leaking from the third notch 16 b and thefourth notch 16 c.

The third notch 16 b and the fourth notch 16 c are provided on the uppersurface 16 a of the connecting wall 16. The third notch 16 b and thefirst notch 215 b are arranged in the longitudinal direction. The fourthnotch 16 c and the second notch 215 c are arranged in the longitudinaldirection. At least one of the positive electrode bus bar 41 and thepositive electrode input/output terminal 245 is provided at the thirdnotch 16 b. At least one of the negative electrode bus bar 42 and thenegative electrode input/output terminal 246 is provided at the fourthnotch 16 c.

Accordingly, unlike a configuration in which the third notch and thefourth notch are provided at a lower portion of the connecting wall 16,the positive electrode input/output terminals 245 and the negativeelectrode input/output terminals 246 are not required to be bent fromthe upper end surface 240 a, in which the positive electrode terminal241 of the battery cell 240 and the negative electrode terminal 242thereof are provided, to the lower end surface 240 b. Therefore, thepositive electrode input/output terminals 245 and the negative electrodeinput/output terminals 246 that are connected to the control module 100are easily designed. Additionally, a wire, and the like for connectingthe positive electrode bus bar 41 and the positive electrodeinput/output terminals 245, and the negative electrode bus bar 42 andthe negative electrode input/output terminals 246 may not be provided.

(Functional Effect of Wind of Battery Module)

The positive electrode terminal 241 of the battery cell 240 that isopposite to the left wall 215 of the first battery stack 231 and thenegative electrode terminal 242 of that battery cell 240 that isopposite to the left wall 215 of the second battery stack 232 arearranged in the lateral direction between the partition wall 213 bywhich the storage space and the ventilation space are respectivelydivided. The positive electrode input/output terminal 245 is connectedto the positive electrode terminal 241 disposed at the side of thepartition wall 213. The negative electrode input/output terminal 246 isconnected to the negative electrode terminal 242 disposed at the side ofthe partition wall 213.

The first notch 215 b, at which the positive electrode bus bar 41 andthe positive electrode input/output terminal 245 are electricallyconnected to each other at the height position of the upper end surface240 a of the battery cell 240, is provided at a center of the uppersurface 215 a of the left wall 215. In the same manner, the second notch215 c, at which the negative electrode bus bar 42 and the negativeelectrode input/output terminal 246 are electrically connected to eachother at the height position of the upper end surface 240 a of thebattery cell 240, is provided at the center of the upper surface 215 aof the left wall 215.

The first ventilation hole 219 a communicating with the firstventilation space and the second ventilation hole 211 b communicatingwith the second ventilation space are provided on the left wall 215. Thefirst ventilation holes 219 a and the second ventilation holes 211 b arerespectively separated from the first notch 215 b and the second notch215 c in the height direction. Additionally, the first notch 215 b andthe second notch 215 c are disposed at the upper portion between thefirst ventilation hole 219 a and the second ventilation hole 219 b inthe lateral direction.

According to the configuration described above, wind that flows throughthe first storage space and the second storage space and passes throughthe first ventilation space and the second ventilation spacecommunicates with the first ventilation hole 219 a and the secondventilation hole 219 b that are respectively separated from the firstnotch 215 b and the second notch 215 c. Accordingly, it isadvantageously possible to suppress the first notch 215 b and the secondnotch 215 c from interfering with the wind flowing through the firststorage space and the second storage space.

The first notch 215 b is arranged with the third notch 16 b in thelongitudinal direction. The second notch 215 c is arranged with thefourth notch 16 c in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, it isadvantageously possible to suppress the third notch 16 b and the fourthnotch 16 c from interfering with the wind flowing through the firststorage space and the second storage space.

(Functional Effect of Solder Connection)

The current sensor 60 and the system main relay 50 are disposed at anupper portion of the control substrate 80. The control substrate 80 andthe current sensor 60 are electrically connected to each other via thesensor connection terminal 66. The sensor connection terminal 66 isconnected to the control substrate 80 with solder. Further, the controlsubstrate 80 and the system main relay 50 are electrically connected toeach other via the switch connection terminal 56. The switch connectionterminal 56 is connected to the control substrate 80 with the solder.

Accordingly, the current sensor 60 and the system main relay 50 arearranged with the control substrate 80 in the height direction.Therefore, unlike a configuration in which the current sensor and thesystem main relay are shifted in the longitudinal direction and thelateral direction with respect to the control substrate, thereby notbeing arranged with the control substrate in the height direction, thecurrent sensor 60 and the system main relay 50 in the exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure are designed to be easily connectedto the control substrate 80, respectively. As described above, thesensor connection terminal 66 and the switch connection terminal 56 aredesirably connected to the control substrate 80 only by a solderconnection. Accordingly, a wire, by which the current sensor 60 and thesystem main relay 50 are electrically connected to the control substrate80, is not required. As a result, it is possible to suppress the numberof parts from increasing.

(Functional Effect of Fan)

The control unit 30 is disposed between the first fan 21 and the secondfan 22. The first sweep-out outlet 21 a of the first fan 21 is opened toa side that is opposite to the connecting wall 16 in the longitudinaldirection. In the same manner, the second sweep-out outlet 22 a of thesecond fan 22 is opened to the side that is opposite to the connectingwall 16 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the first fan 21discharges the sucked wind in the direction far away from the firstsweep-out outlet 21 a and the battery module 200. The second fan 22discharges the sucked wind in the direction far away from the secondsweep-out outlet 22 a and the battery module 200.

Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the control unit 30 frominterfering with the wind discharged from the first fan 21 and thesecond fan 22. Therefore, it is advantageously possible to suppress thecontrol unit 30 from interfering with the wind flowing through the firststorage space and the second storage space.

The respective driving circuits of the first fan 21 and the second fan22 are provided on the control substrate 80. Accordingly, unlikely aconfiguration in which the driving circuits are respectively provided atthe first fan 21 and the second fan 22, respective sizes of the firstfan 21 and the second fan 22 in the exemplary embodiment become small.Further, the driving circuits thereof are integrated on the controlsubstrate 80. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a size of thecontrol module 100 from increasing in comparison with the aforementionedconfiguration in which the control substrate 80 and the driving circuitsare separately provided.

The battery ECU 32 individually controls the driving of the first fan 21and the second fan 22. Accordingly, respective cooling of the firstbattery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232 may be individuallycontrolled.

The battery ECU 32 individually controls the driving of the first fan 21and the second fan 22 based upon the temperature of the temperaturesensor. For example, when the temperature of the first battery stack 231is higher than that of the second battery stack 232, the battery ECU 32more accelerates the suction-rotation of the first fan 21 than that ofthe second fan 22. Accordingly, the temperature of the first batterystack 231 and the temperature of the second battery stack 232 areequalized. As a result, it is advantageously possible to suppresslifetime differences between the first battery stack 231 and the secondbattery stack 232.

(Functional Effect of Fixing)

The system main relay 50 together with the internal positive electrodebus bar 43 and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 aremechanically fixed to the second holding part 72 a. Accordingly, thesystem main relay 50 together with the internal positive electrode busbar 43 and the internal negative electrode bus bar 45 becomes easilyvibrated in the same frequency. Thus, in comparison with a configurationin which the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internalnegative electrode bus bar 45, and the system main relay 50 arerespectively vibrated in a different frequency, it is possible tosuppress the system main relay 50 from causing an unstable connectionbetween the internal positive electrode bus bar 43 and the internalnegative electrode bus bar 45. In the same manner, it is advantageouslypossible not only to suppress the unstable connection between theinternal negative bus bar 45 and the external negative bus bar 46, butalso to suppress heat generation caused by friction at respectiveconnection portions between the system main relay 50 and the internalpositive electrode bus bar 43, and the system main relay 50 and theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44.

The current sensor 60 and the system main relay 50 are fixed to the case70. The control substrate 80 of the battery ECU 32 is also fixed to thecase 70. Accordingly, unlike a configuration in which the controlsubstrate 70 is not fixed to the case 70, it is possible to suppressrespective relative displacements between the current sensor 60 and thecontrol substrate 80, and between the system main relay 50 and thecontrol substrate 80. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress respectiveelectrical connection reliability between the current sensor 60 and thecontrol substrate 80, and between the system main relay 50 and thecontrol substrate 80 from deteriorating.

As described above, the present disclosure has been described inconnection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplaryembodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements withoutdeparting from the technical spirit and essential features of thepresent disclosure. Singular forms are to include plural forms unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise.

First Modified Exemplary Embodiment

According to a first modified exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11,the battery ECU 32 is mounted on the mounting wall 11, such that theelement unit 31 is provided at the upper portion of the battery ECU 32.Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the element unit 31 is mountedon the mounting wall 31, such that the battery ECU 32 may be provided atan upper portion of the element unit 31. Accordingly, the system mainrelay 50 becomes easy to be thermally connected to the mounting wall 11.That is, the system main relay 50 becomes easy to be thermally connectedto a body of the hybrid vehicle via the mounting wall 11. Therefore, itis possible to suppress heat generation of the system main relay 50. Forexample, the system main relay 50 may be mounted on the mounting wall11. According to the first modified exemplary embodiment, four bus barsare exposed from a surface that is separated from the mounting wall 11of the case 70 in the longitudinal direction.

Second Modified Exemplary Embodiment

Further, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the element unit 31 is mounted onthe mounting wall 11, such that the battery ECU 32 may be provided on asurface that is separated from the battery module 200 of the elementunit 31 in the longitudinal direction, such that it is possible tosuppress a length of the control module 100 in the height direction fromincreasing. Further, for example, the system main relay 50 may bemounted on the mounting wall 11, such that it is possible to suppressthe heat generation of the system main relay 50. In the case of thismodified exemplary embodiment, two notches, at which the internalconnector 81 and the external connector 82 are respectively provided,are formed at two end portions on the opposite wall 91 of the controlcover 84 in the height direction.

Other Modified Exemplary Embodiment

In the exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 300 is applied to thehybrid vehicle. Further, the battery pack 300 may be also applied to aplug-in hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle.

In the exemplary embodiment, the battery module 200 includes the firstbattery stack 231 and the second battery stack 232. Further, the batterymodule 200 may include the battery stack in a configuration differentfrom the exemplary embodiment. For example, the battery module 200 maybe configured to include four battery stacks.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the frame 210 and the connectingframe 10 are separately provided, such that the right wall 215 and theconnecting wall 16 are mechanically connected to each other.Alternatively, the frame 210 and the connecting frame 10 may beconfigured to be integrally provided. In this case, the connecting wall16 performs a function as the right wall 215. An integral structure, inwhich the frame 210 and the connecting frame 10 are provided, is sharedby the control module 100 and the battery module 200.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the first sweep-out outlet 21 aof the first fan 21 is opened to the side that is opposite to theconnecting wall 16 in the longitudinal direction, and the secondsweep-out outlet 22 a of the second fan 22 is opened to the side that isopposite to the connecting wall 16 in the longitudinal direction.Alternatively, at least one portion of the first sweep-out outlet 21 aand the second sweep-out outlet 22 a may be opened to a side of thesystem main relay 50 of the case 70. Accordingly, it is advantageouslypossible to cool the system main relay 50 by air that is discharged fromat least one portion of the first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the secondsweep-out outlet 22 a.

Further, the first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the second sweep-out outlet22 a are configured to be arranged in the lateral direction and to beopened to a side of the control unit 30, or may be configured to beopened to an opposite side of the control unit 30 in the lateraldirection. The first sweep-out outlet 21 a and the second sweep-outoutlet 22 a may be respectively opened in the height direction.

More specifically, the first sweep-out outlet 21 a of the first fan 21and the second sweep-out outlet 22 a of the second fan 22, shown in thepart (d) of FIG. 12, may be configured not to have a function ofdischarging air but to have a function of sucking air.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the system main relay 50 includesthe first switch 50 and the second switch 52. Alternatively, the systemmain relay 50 may be configured to include only one of the first switch50 and the second switch 52.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the control substrate 80 iscovered by the control cover 84 and the case 70. Alternatively, thecontrol cover 84 may not be provided. In this case, the lower surface ofthe control substrate 80 is covered by the mounting wall 11.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the control substrate 80 isdisposed out of the case 70. Alternatively, the control substrate 80 maybe configured to be disposed inside the case 70. Accordingly, thecontrol cover is not required, thereby suppressing the number of partsfrom increasing.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the current sensor 60 is providedin the external positive electrode bus bar 44. Alternatively, thecurrent sensor 60 may be configured to be respectively provided at theexternal positive electrode bus bar 44 and the external negativeelectrode bus bar 46, or the current sensor 60 may be configured to beprovided at the external negative electrode bus bar 46.

DESCRIPTION OF PARTIAL SYMBOLS

-   10: connecting frame-   16 b: third notch-   16 c: fourth notch-   17 a: third ventilation hole-   17 b: fourth ventilation hole-   30: control unit-   31: element unit-   32: battery ECU-   40: bus bar-   43: internal positive electrode bus bar-   44: external positive electrode bus bar-   45: internal negative electrode bus bar-   46: external negative electrode bus bar-   50: system main relay-   53: first permanent magnet-   54: second permanent magnet-   60: current sensor-   61: magnetoelectric conversion element-   64: shield-   66: sensor connection terminal-   69: shielding part-   69 a: groove-   70: case-   100: control module-   200: battery module-   219 a: first ventilation hole-   219 b: second ventilation hole-   230: battery stack-   231: first battery stack-   232: second battery stack-   240: battery cell-   240 a: upper end surface-   240 b: lower end surface-   241: positive electrode terminal-   242: negative electrode terminal-   245: positive electrode input/output terminal-   246: negative electrode input/output terminal-   300: battery pack-   400: electric load

What is claimed is:
 1. A control module that is arranged side by sidewith a battery module including battery stacks in which a plurality ofbattery cells are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the batterystacks that is orthogonal to a height direction of the battery stacks,the height direction ranging from an upper end surface on whichelectrodes of the battery cells are provided, to a lower end surfacethat is disposed at an opposite side of the upper end surface, whereinthe plurality of battery stacks are provided with terminals electricallyconnecting the battery stacks in series, the terminals includingpositive and negative electrode input/output terminals located at endsof the serially connected terminals, and the plurality of battery stacksincludes first and second battery stacks mutually adjoining in a lateraldirection of the battery stacks perpendicular to both the longitudinaland height directions, the control module comprising: a positiveelectrode bus bar electrically connected to the positive electrodeinput/output terminal and the control module; a negative electrode busbar electrically connected to the negative electrode input/outputterminal and the control module; and a mounting part in which thepositive and negative electrode bus bars are mounted, the mounting partbeing adjacent to the battery module in the longitudinal direction,wherein the mounting part has: a fan which cools the plurality ofbattery cells; a control unit which controls driving of the fan; a firstcontrol-side ventilation hole through which air is made to flow onto thefirst battery stack; a second control-side ventilation hole throughwhich air is made to flow onto the second battery stack; notches inwhich at least one of the positive electrode bus bar and the positiveinput/output terminals and at least one of the negative electrode busbar and the negative input/output terminals are formed; and a connectingwall having a rectangular shape in a plane along the height directionand the lateral direction, the connecting wall having an upper surfacewhich is equal or substantially flush with the upper end surface in theheight direction, wherein the first and second control-side ventilationholes are arranged side by side in the lateral direction, the notches,the positive electrode bus bar, and the negative electrode bus bar arelocated between the first and second control-side ventilation holes inthe lateral direction, and the notches are formed to extend from theupper surface of the connecting wall.
 2. The control module according toclaim 1, wherein the notches are located to face the upper end surfaceof the battery cells in the longitudinal direction.
 3. The controlmodule according to claim 1, wherein the first and second control-sideventilation holes are located closer to the lower end surface of thebattery cells than the notches are, in the height direction.
 4. Thecontrol module according to claim 3, comprising: a switch electricallyswitching electrical connections between at least one of the positiveand negative electrode bus bars and an electrical load; a current sensordetecting, as an electrical signal, current flowing at least one of thepositive and negative electrode bus bars; the control unit; and aconnection terminal electrically connecting the current sensor and thecontrol unit, wherein the current sensor includes a connection partconnected to the connection terminal, the control unit receives theelectrical signal detected by the current sensor and controls theelectrical connections at the switch based on the received electricalsignal, the switch includes a connection part connected with the atleast one of the positive and negative bus bars, and the connection partof the current sensor is located closer to the control unit than theconnection part of the switch is.
 5. The control module according toclaim 4, wherein the positive and negative electrode bus bars have firstconnection ends connected to the electrical load and second connectionends connected to the battery module, the first connection ends beinglocated closer to the control unit than the second connection ends are,in the height direction, the switch is connected to a path which is leadto the second connection ends, and the current sensor is connected to apath which is lead to the first connection ends.
 6. The control moduleaccording to claim 5, wherein both the first and second electrode busbars are located closer to the upper end surface of the battery cellsthan the control unit is, in the height direction, and the control unitis located closer to the lower end surface of the battery cells than thefirst and second electrode bus bars are, in the height direction.
 7. Thecontrol module according to claim 6, wherein the current sensor includesa magnetoelectric conversion element converting, into an electricalsignal, a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the heightdirection and a shield reducing the magnetic field in the directionperpendicular to the height direction, from passing the magnetoelectricconversion element, the switch includes a magnet which bend a flow of adischarge current caused when an electric connection between at leastone of the first and second electrode bus bars and the electric loadfrom an electrically connected state to an electrically non-connectedstate, the magnet being magnetized in the direction perpendicular to theheight direction, and the current sensor and the magnet are arranged inthe direction perpendicular to the height direction.
 8. The controlmodule according to claim 4, comprising: a shielding part for shieldingmagnetism, wherein the current sensor is configured to detect currentpassing through at least one of the first and second electrode bus barsby converting, to an electrical signal, a magnetic field generated bythe current passing though the at least one of the first and secondelectrode bus bars, the switch is configured to generate a magneticfield to switch over connections between the at least one of the firstand second electrode bus bars and the electric load based on thegenerated magnetic field, and the shielding part is arranged between thecurrent sensor and the switch.
 9. The control module according to claim8, wherein the shielding part has a groove, the at least one of thefirst and second electrode bus bars being arranged to pass through thegroove.
 10. The control module according to claim 1, wherein the controlmodule is arranged side by side with the battery module in thelongitudinal direction, and is provided at an installation space under aseat of a vehicle including a generator as at least one of a powersupply source and a power generation source.
 11. The control moduleaccording to claim 1, comprising: a switch electrically switchingelectrical connections between at least one of the positive and negativeelectrode bus bars and an electrical load; a current sensor detecting,as an electrical signal, current flowing at least one of the positiveand negative electrode bus bars; the control unit; and a connectionterminal electrically connecting the current sensor and the controlunit, wherein the control unit receives the electrical signal detectedby the current sensor and controls the electrical connections at theswitch based on the received electrical signal, the current sensorincludes a connection part connected to the connection terminal, theswitch includes a connection part connected with the at least one of thepositive and negative bus bars, and the connection part of the currentsensor is located closer to the control unit than the connection part ofthe switch is.
 12. The control module according to claim 11, wherein thepositive and negative electrode bus bars have first connection endsconnected to the electrical load and second connection ends connected tothe battery module, the first connection ends being located closer tothe control unit than the second connection ends are, in the heightdirection, the switch is connected to a path which is lead to the secondconnection ends, and the current sensor is connected to a path which islead to the first connection ends.
 13. The control module according toclaim 12, wherein both the first and second electrode bus bars arelocated closer to the upper end surface of the battery cells than thecontrol unit is, in the height direction, and the control unit islocated closer to the lower end surface of the battery cells than thefirst and second electrode bus bars are, in the height direction. 14.The control module according to claim 13, wherein the current sensorincludes a magnetoelectric conversion element converting, into anelectrical signal, a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to theheight direction and a shield reducing the magnetic field in thedirection perpendicular to the height direction, from passing themagnetoelectric conversion element, the switch includes a magnet whichbend a flow of a discharge current caused when an electric connectionbetween at least one of the first and second electrode bus bars and theelectric load from an electrically connected state to an electricallynon-connected state, the magnet being magnetized in the directionperpendicular to the height direction; and the current sensor and themagnet are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the heightdirection.
 15. The control module according to claim 2, comprising: aswitch electrically switching electrical connections between at leastone of the positive and negative electrode bus bars and an electricalload; a current sensor detecting, as an electrical signal, currentflowing at least one of the positive and negative electrode bus bars;the control unit; and a connection terminal electrically connecting thecurrent sensor and the control unit, wherein the control unit receivesthe electrical signal detected by the current sensor and controls theelectrical connections at the switch based on the received electricalsignal, the current sensor includes a connection part connected to theconnection terminal, the switch includes a connection part connectedwith the at least one of the positive and negative bus bars, and theconnection part of the current sensor is located closer to the controlunit than the connection part of the switch is.
 16. The control moduleaccording to claim 15, wherein the positive and negative electrode busbars have first connection ends connected to the electrical load andsecond connection ends connected to the battery module, the firstconnection ends being located closer to the control unit than the secondconnection ends are, in the height direction, the switch is connected toa path which is lead to the second connection ends, and the currentsensor is connected to a path which is lead to the first connectionends.
 17. The control module according to claim 16, wherein both thefirst and second electrode bus bars are located closer to the upper endsurface of the battery cells than the control unit is, in the heightdirection, and the control unit is located closer to the lower endsurface of the battery cells than the first and second electrode busbars are, in the height direction.
 18. The control module according toclaim 17, wherein the current sensor includes a magnetoelectricconversion element converting, into an electrical signal, a magneticfield in a direction perpendicular to the height direction and a shieldreducing the magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the heightdirection, from passing the magnetoelectric conversion element, theswitch includes a magnet which bend a flow of a discharge current causedwhen an electric connection between at least one of the first and secondelectrode bus bars and the electric load from an electrically connectedstate to an electrically non-connected state, the magnet beingmagnetized in the direction perpendicular to the height direction, andthe current sensor and the magnet are arranged in the directionperpendicular to the height direction.
 19. The control module accordingto claim 3, comprising: a switch electrically switching electricalconnections between at least one of the positive and negative electrodebus bars and an electrical load; a current sensor detecting, as anelectrical signal, current flowing at least one of the positive andnegative electrode bus bars; the control unit; and a connection terminalelectrically connecting the current sensor and the control unit, whereinthe control unit receives the electrical signal detected by the currentsensor and controls the electrical connections at the switch based onthe received electrical signal, the current sensor includes a connectionpart connected to the connection terminal, the switch includes aconnection part connected with the at least one of the positive andnegative bus bars, and the connection part of the current sensor islocated closer to the control unit than the connection part of theswitch is.
 20. A system mounted in a vehicle, comprising: a batterymodule including battery stacks in which a plurality of battery cellsare arranged in a longitudinal direction of the battery stacks that isorthogonal to a height direction of the battery stacks, the heightdirection ranging from an upper end surface on which electrodes of thebattery cells are provided, and a lower end surface that is disposed atan opposite side of the upper end surface, wherein the plurality ofbattery stacks are provided with terminals electrically connecting thebattery stacks in series, the terminals including positive and negativeelectrode input/output terminals located at ends of the seriallyconnected terminals, and the plurality of battery stacks includes firstand second battery stacks mutually adjoining in a lateral direction ofthe battery stacks perpendicular to both the longitudinal and heightdirections; and a control module that is arranged side by side with abattery module, wherein the control module comprises: a positiveelectrode bus bar electrically connected to the positive electrodeinput/output terminal and the control module; a negative electrode busbar electrically connected to the negative electrode input/outputterminal and the control module; and a mounting part in which thepositive and negative electrode bus bars are mounted, the mounting partbeing adjacent to the battery module in the longitudinal direction, andwherein the mounting part has: a fan which cools the plurality ofbattery cells; a control unit which controls driving of the fan; a firstcontrol-side ventilation hole through which air is made to flow onto thefirst battery stack; a second control-side ventilation hole throughwhich air is made to flow onto the second battery stack; notches inwhich at least one of the positive electrode bus bar and the positiveinput/output terminals and at least one of the negative electrode busbar and the negative input/output terminals are formed; and a connectingwall having a rectangular shape in a plane defined by the heightdirection and the lateral direction, the connecting wall having an uppersurface which is equal or substantially equal with the upper end surfacein the height direction, wherein the first and second control-sideventilation holes are arranged side by side in the lateral direction,the notches, the positive electrode bus bar, and the negative electrodebus bar are located between the first and second control-sideventilation holes in the lateral direction, and the notches are formedto extend from the upper surface of the connecting wall.
 21. The controlmodule according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has an outer frameand is arranged between the first and second control-side ventilationholes in the lateral direction.